What Happens If Your Vitamin B12 Is Low?
Vitamin B12, a critical nutrient, plays an important role in your body. Thus, it is observed that a deficiency can lead to serious health complications. This article will address the impacts of low Vitamin B12, its symptoms, causes, and potential treatments.
What is Vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is a crucial nutrient that your body needs but cannot produce. It plays a typical vital role in nerve function, red blood cell production, and DNA synthesis. It can also be essential for brain health and proper energy metabolism.
What Happens If Your Vitamin B12 Is Low?
Many signs and symptoms are associated with low Vitamin B12 levels. They may appear gradually and intensify over time. According to medical experts, you might experience fatigue, trouble walking, weakness, headaches, increased heart rate, mouth ulcers, glossitis, a loss of appetite, or weight loss.
In some cases, neurological complications might arise, such as numbness and tingling in the hands and feet. Besides these, mental issues such as irritability, depression, memory loss, or behavioral changes can also occur. Unfortunately, these symptoms can be quite subtle or vague, and thus, there is a need for careful attention and consultation with a healthcare professional.
Causes of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
A variety of factors can contribute to low Vitamin B12 levels. For example, your diet might be lacking in foods rich in B12, especially if you follow a vegan or vegetarian diet.
According to health experts, certain medical conditions may also lead to Vitamin B12 deficiency. These include pernicious anemia, a condition where your body is unable to absorb B12 efficiently, and conditions affecting especially the small intestine, like Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, bacterial growth, or a parasite.
The Consequences of Ignoring Low B12 Levels
If low Vitamin B12 levels go untreated, the impact can be quite severe. Particularly, a persistent deficiency can lead to neurological problems or permanent damage to your nerves.
Furthermore, a lack of B12 can lead to a type of anemia named megaloblastic anemia, which can make you feel tired and weak. More importantly, it can lead to difficulty in thinking and reasoning (cognitive difficulties), which could affect your life quality. Therefore, addressing a B12 deficiency promptly is critical.
Diagnosing a Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Diagnosing a B12 deficiency involves a simple blood test. If you suspect you might have a deficiency due to persistent unexplained fatigue, weakness, or other symptoms mentioned above, it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional.
How to Manage a B12 Deficiency
Besides diet, Vitamin B12 can be supplemented with injections, oral supplements, or nasal sprays. Including B12-rich foods in your diet is also beneficial. These foods include animal products like fish, meat, eggs, dairy, and some fortified cereals. For vegans or vegetarians, supplementation might be necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can! If you’re deficient in B12, the easiest way to increase your levels is by changing your diet. Animal products such as meat, fish, eggs, and dairy are rich sources of B12. Including more of these in your diet can help boost your B12 levels. However, if you’re a vegetarian or vegan, fortified foods or a B12 supplement might be necessary.
It certainly can be. Initially, a Vitamin B12 deficiency might present relatively minor symptoms such as fatigue, slight dizziness, or a loss of appetite. But if left untreated, it could lead to more serious conditions such as neurological problems, megaloblastic anemia, and severe cognitive difficulties. Therefore, it’s important to address any suspected deficiency promptly.
Unfortunately, at-home testing for Vitamin B12 is not currently possible. If you suspect that your B12 levels are low due to the presence of any related symptoms, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional. They will order a blood test that will accurately determine your B12 levels.
Further Reading: 10 Reasons You Should Take Vitamin B12 Injections
