Health Conditions
Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Low B12 affecting nerves and red blood cells.
Overview
Vitamin B12 is essential for making red blood cells and maintaining nerve health. Deficiency can develop from inadequate dietary intake or, more commonly, from problems absorbing B12 from food.
Symptoms
Fatigue, pale or yellowish skin, pins-and-needles in the hands and feet, muscle weakness, balance problems, memory difficulties, mood changes, and a sore or smooth tongue.
Risk Factors
Vegan and strict vegetarian diets, pernicious anaemia (an autoimmune condition affecting absorption), gut surgery, coeliac or Crohn's disease, long-term use of certain medications (e.g. metformin, acid-reducing drugs), and older age.
Common Blood Tests
Serum B12 level, sometimes alongside a full blood count (which may show large red blood cells), and additional markers like methylmalonic acid or homocysteine in borderline cases.
Lifestyle Information
Animal products (meat, fish, eggs, dairy) are the main dietary source; people following vegan diets typically need fortified foods or supplements. Because absorption problems are a common cause, diet alone doesn't always resolve deficiency.
When to seek medical advice
Seek advice if you notice numbness, tingling, balance problems, or memory changes — neurological symptoms from B12 deficiency can become permanent if untreated for too long, so earlier assessment matters.