What happens when your vitamin B12 is low?

B12 deficiency can cause a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, headaches, depression, pale or yellow skin, mental impairment, and pain and inflammation in the mouth and tongue. Many of the symptoms caused by low B12 levels are not specific to B12 deficiency, which can cause the condition to go undetected.
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Is low B12 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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What happens if B12 is too low?

Constipation, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or gas. Nerve problems like numbness or tingling, muscle weakness, and problems walking. Vision loss. Mental problems like depression, memory loss, or behavioral changes.
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What are the signs of low vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia can cause a wide range of symptoms. These usually develop gradually, but can worsen if the condition goes untreated.
  • extreme tiredness (fatigue)
  • lack of energy (lethargy)
  • breathlessness.
  • feeling faint.
  • headaches.
  • pale skin.
  • noticeable heartbeats (palpitations)
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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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How long does it take to recover from 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 is the treatment for B12 deficiency?

Treating vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia. Vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia is usually treated with injections of vitamin B12, in a form called hydroxocobalamin. At first, you'll have these injections every other day for two weeks, or until your symptoms have stopped improving. Your GP or nurse will give the injections.
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What causes lack of vitamin B?

Certain conditions, such as Crohn's disease, Celiac disease, HIV, and alcohol use disorder can prevent the body from absorbing B vitamins effectively, increasing the risk for deficiencies. The symptoms of a vitamin B deficiency vary depending on which B vitamin you're deficient in.
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Is B12 deficiency curable?

Vitamin B12 deficiency is a treatable condition that happens if you are not consuming enough vitamin B12 in your diet or if your body is not absorbing it properly. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause physical, neurological and psychological symptoms. It can be treated with vitamin B12 medications.
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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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Can vitamin B12 cause heart problems?

Macrocytosis associated with vitamin B12 deficiency is also associated with fatal and non-fatal coronary disease, myocardial infarction, stroke, and other circulatory health problems.
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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 are the side effects of B12 injections?

Upon receiving the B12 injection, you may experience a skin reaction in or around the area in which the injection was placed. Pain, redness, and swelling may occur shortly after the procedure is complete. There may also be some irritation in the area, as well as a risk of infection.
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Is banana rich in B12?

"It contains high amounts of vitamin B6 and B12, as well as magnesium and potassium. It also contains some fiber and protein." According to a 2011 article in the journal of Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, banana peels also have "various bioactive compounds like polyphenols, carotenoids and others."
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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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What cereals have the most B12?

Some of the list toppers for cereals with the most vitamin B12 are Kellogg's All-Bran Complete Wheat Flakes, Kellogg's Special K Low Fat Granola, Kellogg's Special K, General Mills Whole Grain Total, General Mills Multi-Grain Cheerios, and Kashi Heart to Heart Oat Flakes.
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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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Are B12 Injections Effective?

Vitamin B12 Shots Are Very Effective

Injections are usually given as hydroxocobalamin or cyanocobalamin. These are very effective at raising blood levels of B12 and preventing/reversing a deficiency. Bottom Line: If you are deficient in vitamin B12, then the injections are very effective at raising your blood levels.
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Can low B12 affect blood pressure?

Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause anemia which is one of the most common causes of low blood pressure.
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Can vitamin B12 raise your blood pressure?

We found that a higher intake of vitamin B12 was associated with lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure and a higher intake of folic acid was associated with lower systolic blood pressure in children.
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Can vitamin B12 deficiency cause chest pain?

Vitamin B12 deficiency: Symptoms may include palpitations and chest pain | Express.co.uk.
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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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How long does a B12 shot last?

If your vitamin B12 deficiency is not caused by a lack of vitamin B12 in your diet, you'll usually need to have an injection of hydroxocobalamin every 2 to 3 months for the rest of your life.
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