Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms can be quite non-specific. In other words, they can be quite similar to other health problems, which is why they are often misdiagnosed. This can be dangerous, because vitamin B12 deficiency can result in some permanent damage if left untreated.
What Are the Symptoms?
The most common symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include:
- Fatigue
– Weakness
– Depression
– Irritability
– Mood swings
– Appetite loss
– Weight loss
These symptoms are commonly seen in other illnesses, which makes vitamin B12 diagnosis difficult to make. However, if diagnosed early, this condition can be successfully treated.
Who is at risk of getting vitamin B12 deficiency?
- Older people
- People who suffer from certain illnesses such as Crohn’s disease
- People who do not consume animal-derived products
Vegetarians are at risk of getting deficient in vitamin B12 because this diet completely excludes meat and dairy products. That is why nutritionists always advise vegetarians to use vitamin supplements.
What foods are rich in vitamin B12?
Foods that contain vitamin B12 include:
- Animal meat (poultry, red meat, and especially liver)
– Fish
– Eggs
– All kinds of dairy products
If you are lactose intolerant, or you do not eat meat (for any reason), you can opt for certain soy products and other vitamin B12 fortified foods like cereals.
How to Treat Vitamin B12 Deficiency
● People whose vitamin B12 levels are little below normal can fix this problem by changing their diet. However, this cannot be done without your doctor’s help. Your vitamin B12 levels have to be measured first, and then you will get some supplements, if necessary. If you are severely deficient in vitamin B12, your doctor will probably prescribe vitamin B12 injections.
● Vitamin B12 can lead to some permanent damage to the nervous system and the brain as well. Neuronal damage can be irreversible, even after the deficiency is treated.
● Symptoms like fatigue, memory problems, depression, psychosis and irritability are reversible. These symptoms will disappear once the deficiency is taken care of. However, if these symptoms persist, this can indicate some other problem.
● Vitamin B12 supplements are available in several forms, such as pills, capsules, nasal spray, liquids and vitamin B12 injections. Nasal spray and B12 injections are prescription medicines. They can only be used under your doctor’s supervision. Although pills and capsules are non-prescription medicines, you should not use them without talking to your doctor first.