B12 Symptoms
I’m sorry that I have been neglecting this blog. I have so many things I want to blog about, but there just aren’t enough hours in the day. I will try to get back to updating more often.
I had a reader comment asking if anyone could please list what they feel are the symptoms of B12 deficiency. I was thinking what a great idea. As many of you know there is the technical list of the B12 deficiency symptoms (you can read about them here and here) and then there are the real symptoms that many of us experience. They do not always match.
I know there are many of you out there reading, so why not leave a comment about the symptoms you had or are having. This will not be anything scientific, and as always you should see a doctor for medical advice and a diagnosis. You can post anonymously, it would just be a way to share what you have experienced and maybe let someone else learn from it. I’ll go leave the first comment to get it started. Now I know you are out there reading, so don’t be shy.
Some of my B12 deficiency symptoms were typical and some were not. I had tingling in my feet for quite some time. It did progress to my legs, hands and arms. My head felt fuzzy. I know it’s a vague description, but it’s the most accurate one. I sometimes felt like I wasn’t getting enough oxygen to my head/brain. At times it was hard for me to form words. I would have to stop and really think of what I wanted to say. My heart would pound constantly and became erratic at times. It would burn and hurt when I would pee (felt like a UTI), but they could find nothing wrong. Those are a few to get you all started. What are your symptoms?
I’ve been feeling very tired about past few months, though i’ve been sleeping 8 to 10 hours per night. During the day i often get “weak moments” when i just feel very powerless/faint… My hands and legs have been very tingley for a quite long time now,Lately I have been feeling some numbness too. It’s very hard for me to concentrate and i feel anxious all the time. I’ve had problem of forming right words too. Sometimes i find myself making up some words because i can’t find the word i’m looking for, it gets really frustrating at times. I’m going to have my blood test taken next week. I’m really scared that i’ve made myself sick because of my diet (vegan). And the fact that,if i have B12, i’d have to continue the treatments rest of my life really freaks me out because i’m only 19.
I am so happy to have found this site. I was diagnosed last week with B12 and Vit D deficiency and as crazy as it sounds, I am glad to have finally figured out what was going on!! I had been to a number of drs and had a variety of tests done with everything coming back as normal, but I felt off and knew something just wasn’t right. I have had the same frustrating issues with not being able to find simple words, muscle ache, mood swings and I have felt like someone has been sitting on my chest for months! I also suffer from a mild continuous headache on my left side. Fortunately for me, I am always on the go, and I did not realize that my body was feeling the fatigue–somehow I was able to push through most of the time.
I went for my first shot today and will continue weekly for the next month and then go from there. I am waiting to see how long it takes for everything to “kick in” and some of the aches to subside.
Thank you so much for all of the information. I have learned more from reading this blog than I have from my Dr and finally know that all of my symptoms were not just in my head!
Michelle,
I’m so glad that my blog was able to help you! I know how wonderful it feels to finally get a diagnosis, and you may not believe it now but be thankful it’s B12 deficiency. With all the things they probably thought it could be I’d bet this is the best outcome by far. It will take a while for you to start to feel better, and it is usually a gradual thing so give it a little time. In a few months you will feel better and a year from now will be a new person!
Thanks for commenting!
Lori
I was diagnosed with B12 anemia 7 yrs ago and at that time I needed infusions 3 times a week wo bring my counts up as well as B12 injections. I take perscription iron daily and was getting B12 injections monthly. I moved to a different state a year ago and got a new doctor who cut my iron pill to 1 daily, I was taking 3 and says I only need injections every 3 months. Lately I have noticed that my feet are a dusky blue and tingling again and I’m not sure that my doctor is on top of this. I was told at the time of my diagnosis that I also had neuropathy which has affected my balance, my memory, I have confusion and the feet issue. I live is the southern coastal part of NC does anybody know a good doctor in this area
For the past year and a half I have been extremely tired, even after sleeping 7 to 8 hours. it was very difficult for me to fall asleep, and when I did, i would only sleep for a few hours at a time if I didnt take a sleeping aid. Ive had blood tests, sleep studies, etc. You name it, I had it tested. it finally occured to my doctor to test my B12 level. Well today I went for my resuls, and it turned out I have an extreme b12 deficiency.
My hand and feet have been a little tingley for a few months, but I just thought it was from lack of activity (Due to being so fatigued) But, my docotr went over some of the symptoms with me, and now a lot of things finally make sense.
Hi Lori
Great site and very informative. I don’t know if you have posted anything about this, but a big “beware.” Make sure B12 is tested BEFORE having lab work performed, or if after, at least a couple of weeks. My doctor gave me a B12 injection, then ran the labs just fifteen minutes later. My level went from 187 to 2000! It rendered the test along with Methymalonic Acid and Homocysteine useless. And if you are dealing with an MD who does not accept that the shot will immediately make levels falsely rise, you’re screwed. Of course my symptoms are awful and outweigh everything, and 187 is low enough for me to supplement. Thanks again, all the best.
Jane,
You are absolutely correct. It is so important to have everything tested before you take any supplements or shots. My doctor made me wait a week the first time to be sure my levels were tested properly and the results were all in. Thanks for sharing and reading my blog. I hope that you feel better soon!
Hi Lori,
Thanks very much for providing info here and to add our comments…its a real sifting process to get to the heart of understanding some info in the medical and internet world…congratulations for the clarifications, I have found them all useful and confirming some of what I know about anaemia & b12 deficiency.
I have most likely for many many years without knowing had symptoms of deficiency that are anaemia and b12 deficiencies but have ploughed on. In Nov 2007, almost two and a half years ago I underwent major surgery resulting in removal of one ovary, 60% removal of large bowel and removal of a third of small bowel..major it has been.
It has only been this year about two months ago that I undertook a blood test count to check what was going on because I’ve had so many problems post surgery its been ridiculous to say the least.
This year I had extreme dizziness, fatigue, lethargy, weakness, imbalances to walk or stand especially when getting out of bed or from sitting, haziness in the brain like brain fog, word association mixed up and loss of memory and frequent memory blanks, unable to read & comprehend, exhaustion, high levels of anxiety, sensitive to many environments & people, erratic energy, emotional outbursts & mood swings, intolerant to many people & busy environments, impatient, hot flushes, tingles like pins & needles, cycles of depression, suicidal at the lows of depression, a few restless nights, a few bad dreams, falling asleep sometimes takes a while…the list is many and it would not alone be just the anemia and b12 deficiency it is combined with so much else I have going on pain wise from the surgery that its a strong link presenting in many various ways.
The initial intakes of many nutritional medicines that I am now on as a program protocol till my next blood test have been helpful. The first three weeks I felt powered up and as though nothing happened, it was amazing…now its two months on into the intakes and I’ve have ups and downs again with the mix of different symptoms present but nowhere as extreme as they were. The only thing I have had seem strong are falling asleep easily and some more bad dreams, hot flushes of anxiety and lows of depression and even suicidal thoughts.
I realise after such surgery and many parts of my organs removed that it is compromised to absorption and digestion however the nutritional medicine does enormously help and stabilise me. Perhaps I’ll need for the remainder of my life and tweeked according to my blood tests.
I certainly look forward to my next blood tests count to check the levels and confirm changes.
Here was another site I discovered very useful about pernicious anaemia & Vit b12..with foods listed and much more that could be helpful for readers.