Movement Signs That May Indicate You Are Suffering From Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Vitamin B12 deficiency may cause a host of upsetting symptoms. Spotting the warning signs early on is vital for a successful treatment and eliminates any threat of suffering from permanent damage.

Vitamin B12 plays a crucial role in helping various body functions. It also aids in keeping the blood cells and nerves in your body healthy. It also plays a crucial role in DNA creation and aids in preventing anemia, a medical term used to describe having fewer red blood cells than normal.

Anemia is also used to describe an unusually low amount of hemoglobin in individual red blood cells. Hemoglobin is a red blood cell protein responsible for carrying oxygen in the body and gives the blood its red color.

What happens if you lack Vitamin B12?

Insufficient amounts of vitamin B12 in your body can cause a vast array of symptoms. Many of these symptoms may develop slowly, but if the condition is left unchecked, such symptoms can worsen.

According to the National Health Service, anemia due to deficiency in vitamin B12 can cause changes in movement. It may also affect your coordination and balance, making you more susceptible to falling.

Research shows this symptom often manifests in people aged 60 and over. Many of them are not aware that they have a vitamin B12 deficiency.

What are the other symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency?

Aside from movement problems, other symptoms may include your skin showing a pale yellow hue, having a red and sore tongue, disturbed vision, and irritability. You may also suffer frequently from mouth ulcers, the feeling of pins and needles stuck to your skin, and your mental abilities like judgment, memory, and understanding may decline. Some have also suffered from bouts of depression and showed changes in the way they think and behave.

When to seek a doctor’s appointment?

If you start experiencing some or most of these symptoms, then you should schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. The NHS said that vitamin B12 deficiency is often diagnosed based on the symptoms you are experiencing. The doctor may also require you to undergo blood tests. The most important thing is you have to get a proper diagnosis, so treatment could immediately be prescribed.

While most of the symptoms may fade away with treatment, some of the health problems that appeared because of vitamin B12 deficiency may become irreversible if left unchecked. The longer you wait, the higher the risk that your body will suffer permanent damage.