This Morning: Guest reveals symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency
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Pernicious anaemia – an acquired autoimmune condition – occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the stomach cells, resulting in intrinsic factor not being made, and vitamin B12 being excreted. The nutrient is abundant in animal products, such as meat, fish and dairy. However, if the body is unable to reabsorb vitamin B12, you’ll experience symptoms of a deficiency over time.
In the beginning, it can be very easy to brush off any niggling symptoms, such as pale skin or fatigue.
However, vitamin B12 is vital for numerous processes in the body, including red blood cell production.
As your vitamin B12 levels deplete more and more, dangerous side effects could start to take place, some of which are irreversible.
You might notice that you’re feeling more out of breath lately, as pointed out by Medical News Today.
Or you may notice you’re not as sharp as you used to be – mentally or physically.
A vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to cognitive impairment, which may show up as memory loss, and difficulty thinking or reasoning.
Research from The University of Melbourne found a link between low vitamin B12 levels and an increased risk of:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Dementia
- Parkinson’s disease.
This is thought to be caused by the lack of oxygen that reaches the brain, as deformed red blood cells can’t transport oxygen efficiently.
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Over time, peripheral nerve damage – which may start off as tingling and numbness in your extremities – can lead to movement issues.
Vitamin B12 plays a “crucial role in the nervous system”, helping to produce a substance called myelin.
“Myelin is a protective coating that shields the nerves and helps them transmit sensations,” explained Medical News Today.
Without an adequate supply of myelin, nerves can become damaged.
“Numbness in the feet and limbs may make it hard for a person to walk without support,” Medical News Today stated.
“They may also experience muscle weakness and diminished reflexes.”
People who have pernicious anaemia might require shots of vitamin b12 for the rest of their lives.
The man-made version of vitamin B12 is known as cyanocobalamin, and they can be self-administered or given by a medical professional.
These vitamin B12 shots are only available via prescription, so you will need a pernicious anaemia diagnosis beforehand.
Am I deficient in vitamin B12?
Only a blood test can determine your vitamin B12 levels, but symptoms might include:
- Lethargy
- Constipation
- Feeling faint
- Depression or irritability
- Headache
- Difficulty maintaining balance
- Sore, swollen tongue, which may be pale, yellow, or very red
- Heart palpitations
- Mouth ulcers
- Paraesthesia (pins and needles)
- Vision changes.
Correcting a vitamin B12 deficiency can reduce the risk of numerous diseases, including heart disease and neurological disorders.
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