If you’re feeling tired, lethargic, breathless or are feeling faint, you could be anaemic. And that could be due to a lack of vitamin B12.
Overview
Why do I need vitamin B12?
It regulates the nervous system, aids the metabolism and helps grow red blood cells.
What are the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency?
They range widely, from anaemia to irritability; lip or mouth sores to tingling sensations in hands and feet.
How do I get vitamin B12?
You’ll find vitamin B12 in lots of everyday foods, from cod, salmon and shellfish to meat, eggs and dairy.
How do I know if I’m vitamin B12 deficient?
A simple blood test is all you need. Book yours now.
Did You Know?
Your body only absorbs as much vitamin B12 as it needs. The rest is excreted as urine – so you needn’t worry about taking too much.
What does vitamin B12 do?
Vitamin B12 performs several jobs in the body. It contributes to the formation of red blood cells, helps regulate the nervous system and aids the metabolism.
Vitamin B12 isn’t difficult to find – it’s in dairy foods, meat, salmon, cod, shellfish and eggs, but around 15% of people don’t get enough of it.
What are the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency?
The symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency can be extremely wide ranging, so much so that diagnosis can be difficult. Anaemia (looking pale, feeling tired and fatigued, breathlessness) can be common, and may also lead to the following symptoms:
- An unexplained rash
- Tingling or a burning sensation in the hands or feet
- Lip or mouth sores, or cracks at the corners of the mouth
- Swollen tongue
- Irritability or depression
- Memory problems
A vitamin B12 deficiency could also result in the above symptoms without the accompanying anaemia.
Left untreated, symptoms can worsen, and have been mistaken for dementia.
Am I at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency?
Anyone could be deficient in vitamin B12, but some groups are more at risk that others. These include:
- Over 50s
- Vegans and vegetarians
- Women who have used a birth control pill for a prolonged period
- Heavy drinkers
- People who have had weight loss surgery
- People with digestive problems such as Crohn’s disease or IBS
Being in one or more of these groups does not mean you will be vitamin B12 deficient, but it does increase the risk that your body will find it harder to metabolise (absorb and use) the vitamin.
How do I test for – and treat – vitamin B deficiency?
Better2Know Your Body’s vitamin B12 testing will help you understand the levels of vitamin B12 within your body. Once you know whether you are deficient, you can correct the imbalance either through diet, or through supplements.,/p>
For most people, correcting the problem is simply a matter of changing diet, but if making such a change would prove difficult (e.g. because you are a vegan), or if your body struggles to absorb the vitamin B12 it needs, supplements or a regular injection of hydroxocobalamin can help. You should discuss these with your GP.
To get tested contact Better2Know your Body on the number above or click book now.