Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency are common and typical, making it difficult to diagnose. A blood test is the only way to confirm a deficiency. Treatment is usually simple, with injections or tablets depending on the severity of the deficiency. Vegans are particularly susceptible.
The symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency are elusive and contradictory at best. The problem in determining if one is lacking in this necessary substance lies in the fact that virtually all symptoms are common and typical. The only way to be sure that one has a B12 deficiency is to visit a doctor and have a blood test.
For example, symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency can include weakness, insomnia, a sore tongue, pale skin, and white patches on the skin. Symptoms can also include bleeding gums, depression, migraines, memory loss, incontinence, mouth sores, and loss of appetite. These are just some of the possible indicators, and obviously, they could also be signs of a number of other major and minor illnesses. Instead of a B12 deficiency, one could be affected by gingivitis, headaches, thrush, or the kind of slow memory that often accompanies the aging process.
However, B12 is vital to the proper functioning of the body, and those who suspect they have B12 deficiency symptoms should take their concerns seriously. Vitamin B12 is crucial for creating red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the various organs in the body. Most people get B12 by eating appropriate amounts of meat, milk, eggs, and cheese. However, sometimes people do not consume enough of these foods or their body simply stops absorbing B12.
Vegans, the variety of vegetarians who will not consume any animal-derived foods, are particularly susceptible to vitamin B12 deficiency. However, in the same way, unforeseen complications from surgery, parasites, bacteria, Crohn’s disease or pernicious anemia can also prevent the body from getting the vitamin B12 it so desperately needs.
If one has a variety of vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms, and if they persist for an excessive period or begin to worsen, then the most prudent course of action is to schedule a blood test with a qualified physician. This test will count the number of red blood cells within the blood sample. Only in this way can some determination be made that one is deficient in B12.
Fortunately, treatment is usually simple. In some cases, a person who lacks adequate levels of B12 will receive direct injections. The number of injections and the time they need to be administered largely depends on the severity of the deficiency. In other cases, simply taking B12 tablets will be sufficient treatment.
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