Signs You're Low On Vitamin B 12
1. Numbness
Do your hands, feet, and legs feel like they are on "pins and needles?" Shortage of B12 can damage the protective sheath that covers your nerves. Diseases like celiac, Charon's, or other gut illnesses may make it harder for your body to absorb the vitamin. So can taking some heartburn drugs.
1. Numbness
Do your hands, feet, and legs feel like they are on "pins and needles?" Shortage of B12 can damage the protective sheath that covers your nerves. Diseases like celiac, Charon's, or other gut illnesses may make it harder for your body to absorb the vitamin. So can taking some heartburn drugs.
2. You Are Colder Than Usual
Without enough B12, you might not have enough healthy red blood cells to move oxygen around your body (anemia). That can leave you shivering and cold especially in your hands and feet.
Without enough B12, you might not have enough healthy red blood cells to move oxygen around your body (anemia). That can leave you shivering and cold especially in your hands and feet.
3. Brain Fog
A lack of B12 may lead to depression, confusion, memory problems, and dementia. It can also affect your balance. B12 supplements are usually safe. For adults recommend 2.4 micrograms a day. If you take more than you need your body passes the rest out in your pee. Still, high doses can have side effects, like dizziness, headache, nausea, and vomiting.
A lack of B12 may lead to depression, confusion, memory problems, and dementia. It can also affect your balance. B12 supplements are usually safe. For adults recommend 2.4 micrograms a day. If you take more than you need your body passes the rest out in your pee. Still, high doses can have side effects, like dizziness, headache, nausea, and vomiting.
4. Weakness.
Your muscles may lack strength. You might also feel tired and lightheaded. Your doctor can check how much B12 is in your body, but not all of it may be usable. So it's important to any symptoms--which can grow slowly or pop up more quickly-- and to alert your doctor.
Your muscles may lack strength. You might also feel tired and lightheaded. Your doctor can check how much B12 is in your body, but not all of it may be usable. So it's important to any symptoms--which can grow slowly or pop up more quickly-- and to alert your doctor.
5. Smooth Tongue
Your doctor might call it atrophic glossitis. Tiny bumps on your tongue called papillae start to waste away. That make it look and feel of smooth and glossy. Infections, medications, and other conditions can cause it, too. But if not enough B12 ot other nutrients is to blame, your tongue may also be sore.
Your doctor might call it atrophic glossitis. Tiny bumps on your tongue called papillae start to waste away. That make it look and feel of smooth and glossy. Infections, medications, and other conditions can cause it, too. But if not enough B12 ot other nutrients is to blame, your tongue may also be sore.
6. Herbivores Beware
B12 deficiency can be rare because can store several year's supply of the stuff. But plants don't have any B12. So vegans and vegetarians who don't any products should add some processed grains like fortified breads, crackers, and cereals.
B12 deficiency can be rare because can store several year's supply of the stuff. But plants don't have any B12. So vegans and vegetarians who don't any products should add some processed grains like fortified breads, crackers, and cereals.
7. Heart Palpitations
This when your heart races or suddenly skips a beat. You might feel it in your throat or neck . You can get mor B12 from chicken, eggs , and fish. But one of the best sources might be something that is on your regular menu:beef liver.
This when your heart races or suddenly skips a beat. You might feel it in your throat or neck . You can get mor B12 from chicken, eggs , and fish. But one of the best sources might be something that is on your regular menu:beef liver.
8. Reasons for shortage: Age
As you get older your body may not absorb B12 as easily. If you don't treat it, low levels of B12 could lead to anemia, nerve damage, moodiness, and other serious problems. So watch your symptoms and get a blood test if your doctor recommends it.
As you get older your body may not absorb B12 as easily. If you don't treat it, low levels of B12 could lead to anemia, nerve damage, moodiness, and other serious problems. So watch your symptoms and get a blood test if your doctor recommends it.
9. Weight surgery
One of the more common weight loss operations is called "gastric bypass."
After surgery food bypasses parts of your stomach and small intestine. That's where B12 breaks down the useable form. Your doctor likely will monitor your B12 levels and suggest supplements and shots if you need them.
One of the more common weight loss operations is called "gastric bypass."
After surgery food bypasses parts of your stomach and small intestine. That's where B12 breaks down the useable form. Your doctor likely will monitor your B12 levels and suggest supplements and shots if you need them.
10. Mouth Sores
You may get these ulcers on your gums or tongue. They could a sign of low B12, anemia or another condition. The sores usually clear up on their own, but it helps to avoid ingredients that might be irritating or painful, like vinegar, citrus, and hot spices like chilli powder. Some over-the-counter medications could soothe the pain.
You may get these ulcers on your gums or tongue. They could a sign of low B12, anemia or another condition. The sores usually clear up on their own, but it helps to avoid ingredients that might be irritating or painful, like vinegar, citrus, and hot spices like chilli powder. Some over-the-counter medications could soothe the pain.
11. Reason for Shortage: Medications
Some drugs drop your B12 level, or make it harder for your body to use the vitamin. They include:
* Chloramphenicol, an antibiotic used to treat infection.
* Proton pump inhibitors like lansoprazol (Prevacid) and omeprazol (Prilosec)
* Peptic ulcer meds like cimetidine (Tagamet) and famotidine (Pepcid)
* Metformin for diabetes
Tell your doctor about all drugs and supplements you take.
Credit: WebMD
Some drugs drop your B12 level, or make it harder for your body to use the vitamin. They include:
* Chloramphenicol, an antibiotic used to treat infection.
* Proton pump inhibitors like lansoprazol (Prevacid) and omeprazol (Prilosec)
* Peptic ulcer meds like cimetidine (Tagamet) and famotidine (Pepcid)
* Metformin for diabetes
Tell your doctor about all drugs and supplements you take.
Credit: WebMD