The most common psychiatry symptoms reported in the literature associated with vitamin B12 deficiency was depression, mania, psychotic symptoms, cognitive impairment and delirium.
Vitamin B12 deficiency may present with a psychosis which is curable if treated promptly. Although this fact is not new and is described in various textbooks,9,10 it seems that it is often forgotten, which results in prolonged suffering from irreversible brain damage.
Psychiatric manifesta- tions of vitamin B12 deficiency can include depression, apathy, irritability, dementia, catatonia, delirium, and hallucinations.
Deficiency of Vitamin B12 can result in hematological changes, neurological and psychiatric problems, which can manifest as irritability, changes in personality, depression, and memory loss [9].
Decreased brain levels of vitamin B12 have also been reported in schizophrenia[59]. Deficiencies in vitamin D have also been implicated in schizophrenia, and developmental deficiency of D3 has been associated with an increased risk of developing schizophrenia in adulthood[13,60,61].
If your anemia goes untreated for a long time, it can lead to heart failure. That's because your heart has to work harder. B12-related anemia may also raise the chances you'll have a heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular problem.
It could have been worse—a severe vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to deep depression, paranoia and delusions, memory loss, incontinence, loss of taste and smell, and more.
The other mental changes associated with B12 deficiency include apathy, agitation, impaired concentration, insomnia, persecutory delusions, auditory and visual hallucinations, and disorganized thought-process.
Without treatment, vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to anemia. It can also result in nerve and brain damage. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) , the damage may be irreversible in the long term.
Neurological changes
memory loss. pins and needles. loss of physical co-ordination (ataxia), which can affect your whole body and cause difficulty speaking or walking. damage to parts of the nervous system (peripheral neuropathy), particularly in the legs.
Stage 1 is decreased levels of vitamin B12 in the blood. Stage 2 is low concentration of vitamin B12 in the cell and metabolic abnormalities. Stage 3 is increased levels of homocysteine and MMA and decreased DNA synthesis resulting in neuropsychiatric symptoms. Stage 4 is macrocytic anemia.
How to raise your B12 levels fast. The most common way to treat B12 deficiencies is by adjusting your diet. If this is unsuccessful, vitamin supplements may be recommended. If you're looking to boost the amount of vitamin B12 in your diet, you should eat more animal products, like meat, seafood, dairy and eggs.
Recovery from vitamin B12 deficiency takes time. You may not have any improvement during the first few months of treatment. Improvement may be gradual and may continue for up to six to 12 months.
It may take a few weeks before your vitamin B12 levels and symptoms (such as extreme tiredness or lack of energy) start to improve. If you have hydroxocobalamin injections to boost your vitamin B12 levels at the start of treatment, the cyanocobalamin tablets may start to work within a few days.
There are certain foods that also need a cut-down in case of vitamin B12 deficiency. “Some foods and drinks can interfere with vitamin B complex intake like alcohol, caffeine and processed foods, etc should be avoided completely,” Shah added.
Common causes of vitamin B12 deficiency include inadequate dietary amounts (eg, in vegans), impaired absorption, age-related decreased acid secretion, and autoimmune metaplastic atrophic gastritis (which causes pernicious anemia).
Lack of vitamin B12 in your diet: People who don't eat enough foods that naturally have vitamin B12 or don't eat foods fortified with vitamin B12 can develop vitamin B12 deficiency. Gastritis: Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining, and it's a common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency.
Bananas are a cheap, healthy, and nutrient-dense fruit that can easily become a part of every individual's diet. It is one of the best fruits rich in vitamin B12. Bananas also contain fibre and potassium. It helps manage blood pressure, reduce stress, and relieve constipation and ulcer problems.
The bioavailability of B12 in the body depends on the type and amount of its intake from food [1], and as the most prominent intake is from animal products, vegans and vegetarians are at risk of low B12 intake and subsequent dietary deficiency [2].
MRI showing abnormalities in the posterior column of the spinal cord is also well documented in vitamin B12 deficiency, but brain imaging showing extensive white matter changes is rarely described.
Pernicious anemia, which makes it hard for your body to absorb vitamin B12. Conditions that affect your small intestine, such as Crohn's disease, celiac disease, bacterial growth, or a parasite.
Different types of blood tests can be carried out to help identify people with a possible vitamin B12 or folate deficiency. These tests check: whether you have a lower level of haemoglobin (a substance that transports oxygen) than normal. whether your red blood cells are larger than normal.
The anaemia and large red blood cells of a vitamin B12 or folate deficiency are frequently detected during a routine FBC (Full Blood Count) test. Laboratory testing is used to detect a deficiency, determine its severity, establish the underlying cause of the deficiency, and to monitor the effectiveness of treatment.