If you’re low in vitamin B-12, you can experience symptoms throughout your body. These include fatigue and weakness due to anemia, numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, heart palpitations, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, trouble with balance, and mood changes like irritability, depression and apathy.
Anemia is common when someone has a B-12 deficiency, but you can experience neurological symptoms even without anemia when your B-12 levels are low, said Dr. Brian J. Copeland, a neurologist at University Medical Center New Orleans.
Symptoms of a B-12 deficiency can develop gradually and may not be obvious at first, but they may worsen over time.
“Symptoms of a B-12 deficiency may not appear until B-12 levels are significantly low in the body,” said registered dietitian Patricia Kolesa. “Serum vitamin B-12 levels of 200 pg/ml or below would confirm a deficiency, however measuring homocysteine and methylmalonic acid can also offer insight into vitamin B-12 activity.”
In a recent study, some older adults showed signs of cognitive and neurological issues despite B12 levels that were technically within the normal range but on the lower end.
If you’re worried about your memory or experiencing fatigue or weakness, having trouble with balance, or dealing with any symptoms we’ve mentioned, speaking with a health care professional and having your B-12 levels checked can be a helpful step in protecting your brain health.
“Vitamin B12 deficiency is common, underrecognized, and relatively easy to diagnose and treat,” said Dr. Joel Salinas, a clinical associate professor in the department of neurology at the New York University Grossman School of Medicine. “Because its neurologic and cognitive effects can mimic more serious brain disorders, it is routinely assessed in evaluations for cognitive decline.”
Different Factors Can Put You At Risk For A B-12 Deficiency
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