Can B12 deficiency cause numbness in legs?

Vitamin B12deficiency symptoms may include: strange sensations, numbness, or tingling in the hands, legs, or feet. difficulty walking (staggering, balance problems) anemia.

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Can low B12 cause leg numbness?

Peripheral neuropathy is the most common presentation of vitamin B12 deficiency. Depending upon the type of nerve involved, it may present as pain, numbness, tingling, loss of sensation, decreased motor activity, or decreased muscle mass.

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What are the nerve damage symptoms from B12 deficiency?

A lack of vitamin B12 can cause neurological problems, which affect your nervous system, such as:
  • vision problems.
  • memory loss.
  • pins and needles.
  • loss of physical co-ordination (ataxia), which can affect your whole body and cause difficulty speaking or walking.

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Is numbness from B12 deficiency reversible?

Both clinical and electrophysiological signs had totally disappeared 3 months later on. Conclusion: This observation demonstrates that, in spite of its poor outcome reported by several authors, peripheral neuropathy induced by vitamin B12 deficiency can recover completely with substitutive treatment.

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Does B12 affect the legs?

Over time, peripheral nerve damage resulting from vitamin B-12 deficiency can lead to movement problems. Numbness in the feet and limbs may make it hard for a person to walk without support. They may also experience muscle weakness and diminished reflexes.

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Can weakness, dizziness and other symptoms be caused by a Vitamin B12 deficiency?

17 related questions found

How long after starting vitamin B12 will I feel better?

Once you begin treating your vitamin B12 deficiency, it can take up to six to 12 months to fully recover. It is also common to not experience any improvement during the first few months of treatment. If you can, it's a good idea to address what's causing the deficiency.

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Does vitamin B12 help with circulation in the legs?

Vitamin B12 is most beneficial for circulation as it helps to keep nerve and blood cells working well. Without enough vitamin B12, the body may not be able to create enough red blood cells to transport oxygen around the body.

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What does B12 numbness feel like?

Numbness. Do your hands, feet, or legs feel like they're on “pins and needles”? Shortage of B12 can damage the protective sheath that covers your nerves.

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What is the fastest way to fix B12 deficiency?

Vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia is usually treated with injections of vitamin B12, called hydroxocobalamin. At first, you'll have these injections every other day for 2 weeks or until your symptoms have started improving. Your GP or nurse will give the injections.

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What happens if your B12 is low for too long?

Pernicious anemia, a deficiency in the production of red blood cells due to a lack of vitamin B12, can cause permanent neurological damage that can lead to death if it is untreated.

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What are the 4 stages of B12 deficiency?

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.

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Is B12 neuropathy permanent?

Long-term vitamin B12 deficiency can cause nerve damage. This may be permanent if you do not start treatment within 6 months of when your symptoms begin. Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia most often responds well to treatment. It will likely get better when the underlying cause of the deficiency is treated.

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How long does it take for B12 to work for nerves?

It may take a few weeks before your vitamin B12 levels and symptoms (such as extreme tiredness or lack of energy) start to improve.

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What deficiency causes numb legs?

Vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause symptoms that affect your brain and nervous system (neurological symptoms), including:
  • numbness.
  • muscle weakness.
  • psychological problems, which can range from mild depression or anxiety, to confusion and dementia.
  • problems with balance and coordination.
  • pins and needles.
  • incontinence.

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Can low B12 cause poor circulation?

A deficiency of vitamin B12 also contributes to poor circulation or a neurological problem which can result in a tingling sensation in the fingers and toes. This symptom can be treated by maintaining an adequate level of vitamin B12 in the body.

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Can low B12 cause aching legs?

Muscle cramps and weakness

If a B12 deficiency is preventing the body from producing enough red blood cells to get oxygen to muscle tissues, you may experience associated symptoms, like sporadic muscle cramps or weakness [3].

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What foods should be avoided if you have B12 deficiency?

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.

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Why won't my body absorb B12?

Pernicious anaemia causes your immune system to attack the cells in your stomach that produce the intrinsic factor, which means your body is unable to absorb vitamin B12.

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What is the main cause of vitamin B12 deficiency?

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).

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Can B12 repair nerve damage?

In many cases, supplementing with vitamin B-12 can reduce the pain associated with neuropathy. More rarely, it can help repair the myelin sheath, depending on the cause of the neuropathy. However, B-12's ability to speed up tissue regeneration and improve nerve function can be helpful for some.

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What are the symptoms of poor blood circulation in the legs?

Symptoms of poor circulation are often easy to spot. They include muscle cramping, constant foot pain, and pain and throbbing in the arms and legs. As well as fatigue, varicose veins, and digestive issues. Leg cramps while walking and wounds that don't seem to heal in your legs, feet, and toes are also symptoms.

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How do you stop poor circulation in your legs?

Helpful Tips
  1. Get moving. One of the best things you can do to improve circulation is to exercise regularly. ...
  2. Stop smoking. Smoking harms the walls of your arteries and causes plaque. ...
  3. Healthy Diet. ...
  4. Elevate legs. ...
  5. Compression stockings. ...
  6. Manage Blood Pressure. ...
  7. See a Vascular Surgeon.

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What is the best vitamin for poor leg circulation?

Vitamin E is among the best Vitamins for Legs Circulation

It keeps platelets from sticking together, an important factor in preventing plaque buildup. Vitamin E is also one of the poor circulation treatment vitamins that can improve overall vein health. Moreover, it's one of the best vitamins for legs.

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