Fatigue, memory loss, and chronic pain– these symptoms could signify vitamin B12 deficiency, or they could indicate a separate underlying condition that requires treatment beyond vitamin B12 supplementation. Neurosarcoidosis is one such illness that produces symptoms strikingly similar severe nerve damage from vitamin B12 deficiency.
Cover your bases
You’ve been taking your vitamin B12 supplements religiously, going beyond what the doctors recommend, and still, you feel constantly tired, disoriented, and physically out-of-whack. Do you need even more B12, or is there another explanation for persistent symptoms?
…Perhaps it’s time to discuss with your doctor about other illnesses that sometimes mimic the vitamin B12 deficiency.
Here’s another scenario- Say you’ve been diagnosed with depression, lupus, or neurosarcoidosis, and after months of treatment you still haven’t seen a significant reversal of symptoms. Is it possible that you’re doctor’s missing something?
…Could the solution be as simple as setting yourself up with regulated weekly doses of vitamin B12?
In either case, you may need to be your own health advocate, as many doctors misdiagnose or fail to recognize conditions that are sometimes comorbid with or similar to vitamin B12 deficiency.
Neurosarcoidosis
When sarcoidosis spreads inflammation to the brain and nervous system, neurosarcoidosis can produce symptoms of nerve damage very similar to those experienced by patients of pernicious anemia or other types of vitamin B12 deficiency.
The cause of sarcoidosis is unknown, but scientists speculate that it may result from an immune system dysfunction or genetic disorder.
Symptoms of neurosarcoidosis mimicking vitamin B12 deficiency include:
- Confusion
- Brain fog
- Chronic fatigue
- Memory loss
- Dizziness
- Vision problems
- Altered sense of taste
- Moodiness
- Numbness in the arms and legs
- Impaired ability to control arms and legs
Tests and treatment
To test, a lumbar puncture, MRI or nerve biopsy can confirm neurosarcoidosis.
There is no cure, but treatment for symptoms may involve corticosteroids, hormone replacement, antidepressants, or physical therapy.
Because of the correlation between this illness and immune system functioning, it’s highly advisable to supplement with vitamin B12, as the risk factor for developing vitamin B12 malabsorption increases with any autoimmune disorder.
Your turn!
Are you currently on a vitamin B12 regimen for neurosarcoidosis, or another form of sarcoidosis?
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please leave your comments below.
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Like this? Read more:
Top Ten Signs of a Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Is Vitamin B12 Deficiency a Real Illness?
Diagnosing Vitamin B12 Deficiency and Pernicious Anemia: Top 10 Tests
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