Vitamin B12 is crucial to various bodily processes:
- normal functioning of the brain and nervous system
- cognitive functioning (ability to think)
- formation of red blood cells and anaemia prevention
- helping create and regulate DNA
- possibly preventing congenital abnormalities
- helping protect the eyes from macular degeneration.
- necessary for energy production
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.
Most symptoms are the same whether they are caused by either folate deficiency or vitamin B12 deficiency.
Symptoms of vitamin B12 and folate deficiency anaemia include:
- rapid breathing or shortness of breath
- headaches
- indigestion
- loss of appetite
- palpitations
- problems with your vision
- feeling weak or tired
- diarrhoea
- a sore or red tongue, sometimes with mouth ulcers
- problems with memory, understanding and judgment (cognitive changes)
Some of these symptoms can also happen in people who have a vitamin B12 or folate deficiency but have not developed anaemia.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause symptoms that affect your brain and nervous system (neurological symptoms), including:
- numbness
- muscle weakness
- psychological problems, which can range from mild depression or anxiety, to confusion and dementia
- problems with balance and coordination
- pins and needles
- incontinence
