Vitamin B-12 is an important water-soluble vitamin involved in numerous biochemical reactions in your body. Vitamin B-12 is found almost exclusively in animal products and most people who consume meat and dairy products consume enough vitamin B-12 avoid a deficiency, according to MedlinePlus. Vegetarians and people with health conditions that reduce vitamin B-12 absorption from food have an increased risk of vitamin B-12 deficiency and should consult a doctor about taking vitamin B-12 supplements. A deficiency in vitamin B-12 can cause several symptoms, especially anemia.
Cause of Anemia
One of the crucial roles vitamin B-12 plays in the body is regulating DNA synthesis. When your body does not have enough vitamin B-12, DNA synthesis cannot take place. This inability to synthesize DNA affects the fastest growing cells in the body first, such as the bone marrow cells that produce red blood cells. Your body needs to constantly make new red blood cells, and when bone marrow cells cannot synthesize DNA because of a vitamin B-12 deficiency, the result is deformed, malfunctioning red blood cells that cannot carry oxygen. This type of anemia caused by a vitamin B-12 deficiency is called megaloblastic anemia.
Fatigue
One primary job of red blood cells in your body is to transport oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. When megaloblastic anemia develops as the result of a vitamin B-12 deficiency, your body cannot get enough oxygen. Without oxygen your muscles cannot function properly and fatigue, excess tiredness and general lack of energy often result. You also may feel lightheaded after standing up or doing any kind of physical exercise. Anemia also frequently causes shortness of breath, especially during exercise.
Additional Anemia Symptoms
Anemia can also cause several other symptoms. Red blood cells are responsible for the red color of your blood, and the decrease in functional red blood cells during anemia can result in very pale skin. You may also experience gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea or constipation, as well as appetite loss and unintended weight loss. People with anemia sometimes develop a red, swollen tongue, and their gums may start bleeding for no reason. Anemia can also cause difficulty concentrating.
Other B-12 Deficiency Symptoms
A deficiency in vitamin B-12 can cause additional symptoms. Vitamin B-12 is required for the proper functioning of the nervous system, and a B-12 deficiency can cause nerve damage. Early symptoms of nerve damage include numbness or tingling in the hands or feet. Left untreated, the tingling can spread up the arms and legs. In severe cases, loss of coordination and balance may develop, as well as extreme confusion or dementia. Depression has also been reported as a symptom of vitamin B-12 deficiency.
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