How do you know if you need B12?

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.
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What are the symptoms of low vitamin B12 in the body?

Symptoms of vitamin B12 or folate deficiency
  • extreme tiredness.
  • a lack of energy.
  • pins and needles (paraesthesia)
  • a sore and red tongue.
  • mouth ulcers.
  • muscle weakness.
  • disturbed vision.
  • psychological problems, which may include depression and confusion.
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How can I check my B12 level at home?

Most home kits test your urine for the presence of MMA, which is linked to early stages of a vitamin B-12 deficiency. You may need to send your urine sample to a laboratory. These kits will include a jar and mailing instructions.
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What food is highest in B12?

What foods are high in vitamin B12?
  • Vitamin B12 is found in: Milk. ...
  • Fortified cereals. If you identify as a vegan or vegetarian, some cereals are a great source of vitamin B12. ...
  • Eggs. “Egg yolks contain more vitamin B12 than egg whites,” says Taylor. ...
  • Yogurt. ...
  • Salmon. ...
  • Tuna. ...
  • Beef. ...
  • Liver and kidneys.
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What is the main cause of vitamin B12 deficiency?

Pernicious anaemia is the most common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency in the UK. Pernicious anaemia is an autoimmune condition that affects your stomach. An autoimmune condition means your immune system, the body's natural defence system that protects against illness and infection, attacks your body's healthy cells.
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Vitamin B12 Deficiency Symptoms (ex. Depression), Why symptoms happen, Schilling’s test, Treatment



How can I raise my B12 levels fast?

To increase the amount of vitamin B12 in your diet, eat more of foods that contain it, such as:
  1. Beef, liver, and chicken.
  2. Fish and shellfish such as trout, salmon, tuna fish, and clams.
  3. Fortified breakfast cereal.
  4. Low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese.
  5. Eggs.
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Is B12 deficiency serious?

If left untreated, the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency tend to worsen and irreversible problems involving the nerves and brain may develop. The risk of experiencing a number of serious complications, including heart failure, may also increase.
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Is it good to take vitamin B12 tablets?

When taken at appropriate doses, vitamin B-12 supplements are generally considered safe. While the recommended daily amount of vitamin B-12 for adults is 2.4 micrograms, higher doses have been found to be safe. Your body absorbs only as much as it needs, and any excess passes through your urine.
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How long does it take for B12 vitamins to start working?

It may take a few weeks before your vitamin B12 levels and symptoms (such as extreme tiredness or lack of energy) start to improve. If you have hydroxocobalamin injections to boost your vitamin B12 levels at the start of treatment, the cyanocobalamin tablets may start to work within a few days.
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Can low B12 cause dizziness?

Low Vitamin B12 Levels Can Cause Dizziness

“Vitamin B12 deficiency is easy to detect and treat, but is an often overlooked cause of dizziness,” he notes. Ask your doctor about having a simple blood test to check your B12 levels if you're having dizzy spells.
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What foods to avoid if you have B12 deficiency?

Research has suggested that the consumption of alcohol may reduce vitamin B12 levels. An older study indicated that moderate alcohol intake diminished vitamin B12 by 5% among “healthy, well-nourished, postmenopausal women.” Alcohol-related liver disease may falsely increase vitamin B12 test levels.
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How much B12 does a woman need?

Who needs more B12? Most women get the recommended daily amount — 2.4 micrograms (mcg) for most adults, 2.6 mcg for pregnant women, and 2.8 mcg for women who are breastfeeding — in their diets.
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How do you know if you have a vitamin deficiency?

8 Common Signs You're Deficient in Vitamins
  1. Brittle hair and nails. ...
  2. Mouth ulcers or cracks in the corners of the mouth. ...
  3. Bleeding gums. ...
  4. Poor night vision and white growths on the eyes. ...
  5. Scaly patches and dandruff. ...
  6. Hair loss. ...
  7. Red or white bumps on the skin. ...
  8. Restless leg syndrome.
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Who is most at risk for B12 deficiency?

According to an analysis of NHANES data from 2015–2016, people of low socioeconomic status, women, and non-Hispanic Blacks are most likely to have low vitamin B12 intakes [32].
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What are the signs of a deficiency?

Symptoms
  • Fatigue.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Dizziness.
  • Pale or yellowish skin.
  • Irregular heartbeats.
  • Weight loss.
  • Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet.
  • Muscle weakness.
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Does vitamin B12 cause weight gain?

Despite the numerous processes in which vitamin B12 is involved, there's little evidence to suggest that it has any influence on weight gain or loss.
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How long does it take to correct a B12 deficiency?

Once you begin treating your vitamin B12 deficiency, it can take up to six to 12 months to fully recover. It is also common to not experience any improvement during the first few months of treatment. If you can, it's a good idea to address what's causing the deficiency.
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What fruits and vegetables are high in vitamin B12?

Good sources of vitamin B12
  • Animal liver and kidneys. Organ meats are some of the most nutrient-packed foods. ...
  • Clams. Clams are small, chewy shellfish that are packed with nutrients. ...
  • Sardines. Sardines are small, soft-boned saltwater fish. ...
  • Beef. ...
  • Fortified cereal. ...
  • Tuna. ...
  • Fortified nutritional yeast. ...
  • Trout.
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Can vitamin B12 affect your eyes?

Disturbed or blurred vision can also occur as a result of a Vitamin B12 deficiency. This happens when the deficiency causes damage to the optic nerve that leads to your eyes. The nervous signal that travels from the eye to the brain is disturbed due to this damage, leading to impaired vision.
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Why am I so light headed and tired?

Causes of lightheadedness may be dehydration, medication side effects, sudden blood pressure drops, low blood sugar, and heart disease or stroke. Feeling woozy, lightheaded, or a little faint is a common complaint among older adults.
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Why do I feel dizzy and lightheaded everyday?

Dizziness has many possible causes, including inner ear disturbance, motion sickness and medication effects. Sometimes it's caused by an underlying health condition, such as poor circulation, infection or injury. The way dizziness makes you feel and your triggers provide clues for possible causes.
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Can you take too much vitamin B12?

Since B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, it's generally considered safe, even at high doses. No Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) has been established for B12, due to its low level of toxicity. UL refers to the maximum daily dose of a vitamin unlikely to cause adverse side effects in the general population.
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What does a B12 deficiency tongue look like?

Clinical Findings in Tongue Pathology

B12 deficiency will also make the tongue sore and beefy-red in color. Glossitis, by causing swelling of the tongue, may also cause the tongue to appear smooth. Among women, low-estrogen states may cause a “menopausal glossitis”.
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How much B12 do you need daily?

Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient. Fish, shellfish, meat, eggs, and dairy products are good sources of vitamin B12. The amount that should be consumed on a daily basis is called the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). The RDA is 2.4 mcg daily for people 18 years and older.
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