Symptoms
Typically, the symptoms associated with vitamin B-12 deficiency develop slowly over the course of several months or years. Without a sufficient supply of vitamin B-12, you may become anemic, which means that you have low red blood cell levels. Symptoms of anemia include weakness, fatigue, pale skin, shortness of breath and heart rate irregularities, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevents reports. Low vitamin B-12 levels may also cause nerve damage and may result in numbness, tingling or burning sensations in your hands or feet. Young children and infants who do not receive enough vitamin B-12 may experience physical and mental development delays, weakness and reduced muscle tone. Seek care from your doctor as soon as possible if you experience vitamin B-12 deficiency symptoms to ensure you receive prompt and appropriate care.
Treatment
The most common treatment for vitamin B-12 deficiency is vitamin B-12 injections. Initially, your doctor may give you daily injections though the frequency of your injections typically diminishes as your vitamin B-12 levels return to normal. Your doctor may also recommend treatment with high doses of oral vitamin B-12 supplements. If you have vitamin B-12 deficiency, consult your physician to discuss which form of vitamin B-12 supplementation is appropriate for you.
Your body requires adequate levels of vitamin B-12 to maintain proper brain function and red blood cell production. If you don't get enough of this water-soluble nutrient, you may be at risk of developing vitamin B-12 deficiency -- one of the most common types of nutritional deficiencies in the world. Consult your doctor for more information if you have any questions or concerns regarding vitamin B-12 deficiency.
Causes
The primary cause of vitamin B-12 deficiency is poor intake of foods that are rich in the vitamin. Each day, adults should consume between 2.4 and 2.8 mcg of vitamin B-12 from dietary sources, such as fish, beef, clams or fortified cereals, or dietary supplements. Vegetarians and vegans are at an increased risk of developing vitamin B-12 deficiency because the main sources of this nutrient are meat products.
Even if you consume enough this nutrient each day, you may still become deficient if your body isn't able to absorb vitamin B-12. Health conditions that may make vitamin B-12 absorption difficult include gastrointestinal problems, such as Crohn's disease and celiac disease, chronic alcoholism, stomach or small intestine surgery and long-term antacid treatment, MedlinePlus explains. Pernicious anemia -- a condition in which your body doesn't generate enough red blood cells -- may also cause vitamin B-12 deficiency because this type of anemia results in the destruction of a cofactor your body needs to absorb vitamin B-12.
Even if you consume enough this nutrient each day, you may still become deficient if your body isn't able to absorb vitamin B-12. Health conditions that may make vitamin B-12 absorption difficult include gastrointestinal problems, such as Crohn's disease and celiac disease, chronic alcoholism, stomach or small intestine surgery and long-term antacid treatment, MedlinePlus explains. Pernicious anemia -- a condition in which your body doesn't generate enough red blood cells -- may also cause vitamin B-12 deficiency because this type of anemia results in the destruction of a cofactor your body needs to absorb vitamin B-12.
Complications
e treatment, vitamin B-12 deficiency may irreversibly affect the way your brain functions and may cause confusion, memory loss or depression. You may also experience difficulty maintaining your balance when you attempt to stand or walk around normally without assistance. Infants who don't receive enough vitamin B-12 may fail to grow appropriate, which may have life-threatening consequences.
