Vitamin B-12 is responsible for ensuring the normal function of nerve cells and red blood cells. The normal range of vitamin B-12 levels in your blood is between 200 and 900 pg/mL, MedlinePlus, a service of the National Institutes of Health, explains. If your vitamin B-12 levels fall below 200 pg/mL, then you have a vitamin B-12 deficiency. This deficiency can lead to a variety of symptoms.
Diarrhea, Nausea and Loss of Appetite
Low levels of vitamin B-12 may cause nausea, Drugs.com explains. The nausea varies in severity and is often accompanied by diarrhea and a decrease in appetite. These symptoms tend to develop gradually, making it more difficult to immediately diagnose vitamin B-12 deficiency. In some cases, the bacteria in your digestive tract can consume your dietary B-12 and lead to a deficiency.
Impaired Capacity to Walk and Muscle Weakness
Vitamin B-12 deficiency can lead to muscle weakness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In order to move efficiently, your muscles require functioning red blood cells. If you are suffering from vitamin B-12 deficiency, then your blood cells are unable to supply enough oxygen to your muscles. This can lead to weakness in the affected muscles. This symptom can be exacerbated by neurological deficits caused by vitamin B-12 deficiency. Often, this leads to a difficulty walking, as leg muscles are often affected by this symptom.
Jaundice
You may develop jaundice as a result of low vitamin B-12 levels, Drugs.com explains. This is typically evidenced by a noticeably yellowish coloration to the skin and eyes. Your body can store vitamin B-12 for years, MayoClinic.com explains. So this symptom may also indicate liver conditions that may have developed as a result of vitamin B-12 deficiency.
Numbness in the Hands and Feet
Having deficient or decreased vitamin B-12 levels can cause you to experience a tingling sensation in your extremities, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes. Your body uses vitamin B-12 to ensure your nervous system functions properly. This symptom can occur as a result of long-term vitamin B-12 deficiency and may even indicate irreparable damage to the nervous system.
Personality Changes and Dementia
Normal brain function can be compromised by persistently low levels of vitamin B-12, MedlinePlus explains. Long-term vitamin B-12 deficiency may even cause your personality to change and impair your memory. You may also experience depression or dementia. This may indicate long-term vitamin B-12 deficiency.
Slows Growth and Development in Children
Vitamin B-12 deficiency can slow the growth and development of children. The slow growth of children suffering from vitamin B-12 deficiency may also be accompanied by delays in overall physical development.
Anemia
Anemia may be a symptom of vitamin B-12 deficiency, MedlinePlus explains. Anemia, which is a condition characterized by a lack of red blood cells, causes you to experience an overall feeling of exhaustion and to have difficulties concentrating. If you have anemia, your skin will also appear pale and you will have shortness of breath, especially after physical exertion.
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