Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Symptoms

Symptoms tend to develop slowly and may not be recognized immediately. As the condition worsens, common symptoms include:

• Weakness and fatigue

• Light-headedness and dizziness

• Palpitations and rapid heartbeat

• Shortness of breath

• A sore tongue that has a red, beefy appearance

• Nausea or poor appetite

• Weight loss

• Diarrhea

• Yellowish tinge to the skin and eyes

If low levels of B12 remain for a long time, the condition also can lead to irreversible damage to nerve cells, which can cause the following symptoms:

• Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet

• Difficulty walking

• Muscle weakness

• Irritability

• Memory loss

• Dementia

• Depression

• Psychosis