How can I tell if I have low vitamin B12 levels?

Every neurosurgeon must have prescribed vitamin B12 to their patients. Especially for those treating neurological diseases such as trigeminal nerve and hemifacial spasm, patients will be required to take vitamin B12 and methylcobalamin and other nerve nutrients to help recovery. If the body is not lacking, there is no need to deliberately supplement it. As for how to judge whether your body has low vitamin B12 levels, this article will summarize some symptoms to facilitate your own identification.

Numbness in limbs

Feeling of pins and needles in the hands and feet, a shortage of B12 can damage the "protective sheath" covering the nerves, and diseases such as celiac disease, Crohn's disease or other intestinal disorders can make it more difficult for the body to absorb the vitamin.

Often feel cold

Without enough B12, you may not have enough healthy red blood cells to move oxygen around your body, making you more likely to feel cold, especially in your hands and feet.

Brain fog

A deficiency of B12 can lead to depression, confusion, memory impairment and dementia, and can also affect balance. Supplemental B12 is safe for adults at 2.4 micrograms per day. If you take too much, your body will excrete the rest through urine. High doses may cause some side effects, such as dizziness, headache, anxiety, nausea and vomiting.

Weakness

You may lose muscle strength and feel tired or dizzy.

Smooth tongue

Medically known as atrophic glossitis, the tongue looks very smooth or even shiny. Infections and medications or other conditions can cause it. Without enough B12 and other nutrients, the tongue may also be painful.

Palpitations

Feeling your heartbeat suddenly speed up or miss a beat, feeling like it’s about to jump out of your throat.

Mouth ulcers

Who is prone to B12 deficiency?

Vegetarians should be especially careful about vitamin B12 deficiency. The main way to obtain vitamin B12 is through meat. There is no B12 in plants. Some vegetarians or people who are losing weight can consider some processed bread, biscuits, cereals, etc. If you are afraid of getting fat, you can consider taking B12 from chicken, eggs and fish.

Age is also a big reason for vitamin B12 deficiency. As you age, your body may not absorb B12 as easily. If left untreated, low levels of B12 may lead to anemia, nerve damage, depression, and other serious problems.

People who use chloramphenicol, proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole and lansoprazole, peptic ulcer medications such as cimetidine and ranitidine, and people who use metformin to treat diabetes need to be aware that these medications can lower B12 levels.

People with indigestion have poor appetite, weight loss and constipation. In this case, intramuscular injection can be considered to ensure absorption by the body.

A less common cause is people who have undergone weight loss surgery. B12 is obtained through the breakdown of food in the stomach and small intestine. Some people who lose weight will have part of the B12 removed surgically, so naturally less is absorbed.

The most important point is to pay attention to B12 intake during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Babies who do not have enough B12 may suffer serious and permanent damage to their nerves or brain cells.