These Signs Reveal Pernicious Anemia Resulting From Vitamin B12 Deficiency

The World Health Organization has stated that vitamin B12 deficiency has become a global health problem affecting millions of lives. In the UK, health agencies and organizations reveal about 6% of the country’s population is suffering from this deficiency.

There are many causes of vitamin B12 deficiency and one of which may be due to pernicious anemia. This is a health condition where the body is unable to produce adequate amounts of healthy red blood cells because of the insufficiency of vitamin B12.

Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Some of the symptoms associated with a deficiency in vitamin B12 are muscle weakness, extreme tiredness, and lack of energy. A severe deficiency may result in serious health problems like coordination disorders that affect balance and speech. Anxiety or depression and irreversible nerve damage may also ensue.

Pernicious Anemia

This is a rare condition that can lead to a deficiency in vitamin B12. This autoimmune disorder is a chronic type of B12 deficiency and one that can cause serious consequences on your health if left unchecked. Health experts say around 0.1% of the population is suffering from this condition, with 1.9% of the patients aged more than 60 years old. Estimates reveal that around five in every 100,000 individuals in the UK are suffering from pernicious anemia.

Health experts say the condition is caused by the inability of the body to absorb the vitamin it needs for it to produce healthy red blood cells. The condition progresses at a slow pace, and its symptoms are often mistaken for other illnesses. There are instances where some doctors have been known to misdiagnose the symptoms as resulting from anxiety or depression.

In one study where researchers interviewed members of the Pernicious Anemia Society, it was found out that almost 50% of patients have been misdiagnosed. 20% of the misdiagnosed patients had to wait for two years or over to be properly diagnosed.

The Symptoms

The major symptoms of pernicious anemia are memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and fatigue. At the outset, patients reported feeling numbness or a tingling sensation in their hands and feet. They also experienced several instances where they had difficulty with balance.

As soon as you notice these symptoms, it is best to schedule an appointment with your doctor immediately. If you leave the condition untreated, these symptoms may become debilitating, and you might suffer severe nerve damage, which is oftentimes irreversible.