Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms: Do you walk like this? It could be a sign you lack B12
Vitamin B12 is responsible for the production of red blood cells and keeping the nervous system healthy. Red blood cells carry oxygen around the body, but are unable to do so properly if there are too few of them or if they are abnormally formed. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause red blood cells to become abnormally large, which can disrupt their ability to carry oxygen. If this happens, it can cause a wide range of symptoms, one of which is changes to the way you walk and move.
This symptom is often seen in undiagnosed B12 deficiency in the elderly, as people over the age of 60 are more prone to a B12 deficiency
Healthline
This is because if left untreated, vitamin B12 deficiency can cause damage to the nervous system.
Damage to the nervous system could cause changes in how you walk and move, and according to medical website Healthline, could affect your balance and coordination.
This, according to Healthline, could also make you more prone to falling over.
Changes in the way you walk and move may not necessarily mean you have vitamin B12 deficiency, but you may want to get it checked out in case.
It could also be caused by other conditions which would also require medical treatment.
“This symptom is often seen in undiagnosed B12 deficiency in the elderly, as people over the age of 60 are more prone to a B12 deficiency,” said Healthline.
“Also, this symptom may be present in young people who have a severe, untreated deficiency.”
Luckily, vitamin B12 deficiency can normally be easily treated, and when treated most symptoms usually disappear.
Some health problems caused by vitamin B12 deficiency, however, can be irreversible if left untreated for a long time, so it’s important to be aware of symptoms early on.
As well as changes in movement, other neurological changes caused by nervous system damage due to vitamin B12 deficiency include vision problems and memory loss.
The best food sources of vitamin B12
Eat these foods to maximise your vitamin B12 intake.
The best food sources of vitamin B12
Untreated B12 deficiency can also sometimes lead to temporary infertility, and in some cases can increase the risk of developing stomach cancer.
Other early symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include mouth ulcers, a sore and red tongue, extreme tiredness, a lack of energy and pins and needles.
It can also cause muscle weakness and a pale yellow tinge to the skin.
“See your GP if you think you may have a vitamin B12 deficiency,” said the NHS.
“It’s important for vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia to be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible because, although many of the symptoms improve with treatment, some problems caused by the condition can be irreversible.”
Vitamin B12 deficiency is usually treated with tablets and injections of the vitamin.
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