What are the symptoms of low B12?

Symptoms of vitamin B12 or folate deficiency
  • extreme tiredness.
  • a lack of energy.
  • pins and needles (paraesthesia)
  • a sore and red tongue.
  • mouth ulcers.
  • muscle weakness.
  • disturbed vision.
  • psychological problems, which may include depression and confusion.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nhsinform.scot

What happens when your vitamin B12 is low?

Key points about vitamin B12 deficiency anemia

Without enough red blood cells, your tissues and organs don't get enough oxygen. Without enough oxygen, your body can't work as well. Symptoms include weak muscles, numbness, trouble walking, nausea, weight loss, irritability, fatigue, and increased heart rate.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on hopkinsmedicine.org

What are the warning signs of vitamin B12 deficiency?

Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia can cause a wide range of symptoms. These usually develop gradually, but can worsen if the condition goes untreated.
  • rapid breathing or shortness of breath.
  • headaches.
  • indigestion.
  • loss of appetite.
  • palpitations.
  • problems with your vision.
  • feeling weak or tired.
  • diarrhoea.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nhs.uk

What is the fastest way to fix B12 deficiency?

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.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on carenow.com

What is the most common cause of B12 deficiency?

Diet. Some people can develop a vitamin B12 deficiency as a result of not getting enough vitamin B12 from their diet. A diet that includes meat, fish and dairy products usually provides enough vitamin B12, but people who do not regularly eat these foods can become deficient.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nhs.uk

Vitamin B12 Deficiency Symptoms | B12 Deficiency | Vitamin B12 - All You Need to Know

42 related questions found

What foods should be avoided if you have B12 deficiency?

It's harder to get your B12 from food if you're on a strict plant-based diet. That means you don't eat any animal products, including eggs or dairy. Your doctor will likely suggest taking a daily or weekly dietary supplement to keep your levels up.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on webmd.com

Does vitamin B12 affect bowel movements?

Vitamins and minerals do not have a major role in treating constipation. However, some people may experience constipation as a result of a vitamin deficiency, such as vitamin B-12 deficiency. In those situations, a vitamin supplement may help relieve constipation.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on medicalnewstoday.com

What organ does vitamin B12 affect?

Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is naturally found in animal foods. It can also be added to foods or supplements. Vitamin B12 is needed to form red blood cells and DNA. It is also a key player in the function and development of brain and nerve cells.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on hsph.harvard.edu

Which fruit is rich in vitamin B12?

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.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on tataaig.com

Can low B12 cause weight gain?

Vitamin B12 deficiency can indeed lead to weight gain. But the weight gain is not a direct result of the deficiency. Instead, vitamin B12 deficiency causes lethargy or lack of energy, and in turn, inactivity causes weight gain.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ecmedicalgroup.com

What are 5 foods high in vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12 is naturally present in foods of animal origin, including fish, meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products [5]. In addition, fortified breakfast cereals and fortified nutritional yeasts are readily available sources of vitamin B12 that have high bioavailability [12,13].

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ods.od.nih.gov

How long after starting vitamin B12 will I feel better?

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.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nhs.uk

What causes B12 deficiency in older adults?

Vitamin B12 deficiency is common among the elderly. Elderly people are particularly at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency because of the high prevalence of atrophic gastritis-associated food-cobalamin (vitamin B12) malabsorption, and the increasing prevalence of pernicious anaemia with advancing age.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

How long do B12 injections last?

If your vitamin B12 deficiency is not caused by a lack of vitamin B12 in your diet, you'll usually need to have an injection of hydroxocobalamin every 2 to 3 months for the rest of your life.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nhs.uk

What are the side effects of B12 injections?

Common side effects
  • Pain, swelling or itchy skin where you had the injection. These symptoms are usually mild and should only last a few hours. ...
  • Feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting) Stick to simple meals and avoid rich or spicy food. ...
  • Diarrhoea. ...
  • Headaches. ...
  • Feeling dizzy. ...
  • Hot flushes.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nhs.uk

How does B12 deficiency affect your walking?

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.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on medicalnewstoday.com

Is 2 eggs a day enough B12?

The recommended daily intake of B12 is about 2µg, with a serving of two eggs satisfying 15% of your everyday requirements.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on australianeggs.org.au

Does avocado have B12?

THE GOODNESS OF FRESH CALIFORNIA AVOCADOS

There are 13 vitamins the body absolutely needs: vitamins A, C, D, E, K and the B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12 and folate). Avocados naturally contain many of these vitamins.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on californiaavocado.com

Which vegetable has the most vitamin B12?

08/9Vegetables rich in vitamin B12

If you follow a plant-based diet, then vegetables like spinach, beetroot, butternut squash, mushroom and potato contain good amounts of vitamin B12. However, it is less likely to receive the whole amount of nutrients just from vegetable sources.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on m.timesofindia.com

Does B12 affect sleep?

B12 also plays a role in the production of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate our circadian rhythms. It is possible that a deficiency of B12 could lead to disrupted sleep patterns.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on hwwoods.com.au

Will I lose weight if I take B12?

There's no solid proof that vitamin B-12 shots, also called injections, help you lose weight. Vitamin B-12 is a water-soluble B complex vitamin. It's found naturally in many foods, such as meat, fish and dairy products.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mayoclinic.org

Can low B12 give you anxiety?

Vitamin B12 deficiency can have distressing neuropsychiatric symptoms. It can have an etiological role in clinical presentations like depression, anxiety, psychosis, dementia, and delirium, requiring screening of at-risk populations.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Can low B12 cause dizziness?

A vitamin B12 deficiency can cause anaemia due to the lack of red blood cells in the body resulting in dizziness, and shortness of breath.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on medanta.org