Would you know if you had vitamin B12 deficiency? Sometimes, vitamin B12 malabsorption results from a vegan diet, or as part of the aging process. Often, vitamin B12 deficiency occurs with autoimmune and gastrointestinal disorders like pernicious anemia, Crohn’s disease, and fibromyalgia, making vitamin B12 deficiency one of the most widespread nutritional problems in the US. Do you have one of the 13 illnesses associated with low vitamin B12 absorption?
Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is essential for promoting neurological health, boosting stamina, enhancing metabolic functioning, supporting cognitive skills, and sustaining heart health.
The following symptoms correlate with low vitamin B12 levels:
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Depression
- Aggressive behavior
- Hallucinations
- Irritability
- Paranoia
- Forgetfulness
- Brain fog (confusion)
- Decreased attention span
- Vision problems
- Painful tingling, numbness, and burning in the hands, feet, and mouth
- Gait disorder (difficulty walking)
- Decreased motor skills
- Muscular twitches
- Sore muscles and joints
- Tinnitus (ear ringing)
- Stomach cramps
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty swallowing
- Acid reflux
- Heart palpitations
- Poor tolerance for aerobic exercise
- Increased risk for heart attack and stroke
- Osteoporosis
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Diagnosing vitamin B12 deficiency
Certain illnesses mask the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, contributing to mass under-diagnoses. Many patients of chronic illness who already experience symptoms like fatigue, muscular pain, or mental sluggishness may not realize an underlying problem absorbing vitamin B12, and may never receive a blood screening for low vitamin B12 levels.
If you suffer from one of the following illness correlated with or causing vitamin B12 deficiency, please request a simple blood test immediately.
- Pernicious anemia (intrinsic factor anemia)
- Crohn’s disease
Fibromyalgia- Postsurgical malabsorption (gastric bypass)
- Atrophic gastritis
- Cystic fibrosis
- Celiac disease
- Tropical sprue
- Tuberculosis
- Helicobacter pylori infection
- Whipple’s disease
- Pancreatitis
- AIDS
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Please tell us…
Do you have one of the conditions associated with low vitamin B12 levels? Have you been diagnosed with vitamin B12 deficiency, as well? Has supplementation with vitamin B12 reduced any of your symptoms?
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please leave your comments below.
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Sources:
Vitamin B12 Deficiency- Lifescript.com
Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin B12
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