Vitamin B12 is vital to healthy blood and nerve function and if the body's stores are depleted that can cause both anemia and neurological problems. Most people in the U.S. get enough vitamin B12 by eating the animal foods where it is commonly found, but some people have trouble absorbing the vitamin. Up to 15 percent of Americans may have vitamin B12 deficiency, according to the National Institute of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements.
Anemia
Your body needs vitamin B12 to make the red blood cells that provide oxygen to the cels of your body. If you don't get enough vitamin B12, your red blood cell count goes down and you develop anemia. People with mild anemia may have few or no symptoms, according to MedlinePlus. Those with more serious cases can experience diarrhea; constipation; fatigue or weakness; dizziness, especially when standing or exercising; appetite and weight loss; pale skin; difficulty focusing; shortness of breath, especially when exerting themselves; swollen or red tongue and bleeding gums.
Neurological Problems
Vitamin B12 deficiency can also damage the nervous system, causing nerve problems like tingling or numbness in the hands and feet. Other neurological symptoms include balance problems, depression or other mood changes, irritability, personality changes, psychosis, confusion, dementia, memory loss and soreness in the mouth or tongue. Vitamin B12 deficiency can damage your nerves even if you don't have anemia, so it's important to treat any deficiency quickly to prevent nerve damage, according to the ODS. Nerve damage can be permanent, especially if the condition is left untreated for six months after symptoms appear, according to MedlinePlus.
Infants
Infants can develop vitamin B12 deficiency when their mothers are vitamin B12 deficient during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. This can cause anemia, movement problems and developmental delays, according to the ODS. It can also cause failure to thrive, a condition in which children are dramatically smaller than other children their age and may be slow to acquire physical, mental and social skills.
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