Because the symptoms of vitamin B12 are hard to pinpoint a diagnosis can take years, leading to complications for patients. Knowing what to search for is a good first step.
In the UK, the condition is becoming increasingly common due to changes in dietary trends – but people who suffer digestion changes can also see their B12 levels plummet.
Taking to TikTok, an NHS GP recently highlighted the crucial role vitamin B12 plays in maintaining a healthy nervous system.
He noted: “B12 and folate are really important and they have several roles in the body, including keeping your nervous system healthy.
Mouth ulcers are clinically recognised as a sign of low B12 levels
GETTY / TIKTOK
Dr Sooj also highlighted the difficulty of diagnosing B12 deficiency, attributing it to the condition’s non-specific symptoms.
He shared: “A deficiency can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are really non-specific.”
Adding to the confusion, B12 deficiency symptoms can appear anywhere in the body.
“Typically, someone may experience things like tiredness, pain, pins and needles in the hands and legs, and a sore tongue ulcer,” noted Dr Sooj.
“They can also get memory issues and muscle weakness.”
Why is vitamin B12 important?
According to the NHS, vitamin B12 or B9 (folate) deficiency anaemia develops when low levels of either vitamin cause the body to produce abnormally large red blood cells that cannot function properly.
Red blood cells play the unique role of transporting oxygen throughout the body using haemoglobin.
Patients with low vitamin B12 often report pins and needles
GETTY
The health body noted: “Anaemia is the general term for having either fewer red blood cells than normal or having an abnormally low amount of haemoglobin in each blood cell.”
If someone has been deficient for some time, they could be at risk of complications relating to fertility, heart health and pregnancy.
Patients found to have low B12 levels may be recommended an injection to address the deficiency. In other cases, supplements may be advised.
While B12 deficiency can be serious, medical professionals advise consulting a doctor before starting any supplements.
