Five vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms seen in ‘15%’ of cases

Vitamin B12 is vital for keeping the body’s blood and nerve checks healthy.

If a deficiency occurs and is left untreated complications such as vision loss and infertility can occur. In some cases, it could even increase the risk of stomach cancer.

Pernicious anaemia is the most common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency in the UK, but people who eat a vegan diet and don’t take vitamin B12 supplements may also be at risk, as B12 is found in meat, fish and dairy products.

Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause a wide range of symptoms. But the British Medical Journal (BMJ) notes in 15 percent of cases people may experience symptoms related to blood and bone marrow.

The symptoms related to blood are:

• Pancytopenia
• Macrocytosis
• Hypersegmented neutrophils

Pancytopenia describes having low levels of all three blood cell types – red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

Symptoms of low red blood cells include fatigue, shortness of breath and dizziness. Symptoms of low white blood cells include fever, sore that and mouth sores. Symptoms of low platelets include bruising easily, heavy menstrual bleeding or blood in your poo, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Macrocytosis describes red blood cells that are larger than normal. And Hypersegmented neutrophils is when neutrophils (white blood cells) have remained in circulation for an extended period instead of migrating into the tissues.

The symptoms related to bone marrow are:

• Hyperplasia
• Megaloblastic features

Hyperplasia is increased cell production in abnormal tissue or organ. Megaloblastic anaemia is a type of anaemia characterised by very large red blood cells.

Some more general symptoms of vitamin B12 to note are listed by the NHS:

• rapid breathing or shortness of breath
• headaches
• indigestion
• loss of appetite
• palpitations
• problems with your vision
• feeling weak or tired
• diarrhoea
• a sore or red tongue, sometimes with mouth ulcers
• problems with memory, understanding and judgment (cognitive changes)

Vitamin B12 deficiency is usually treated with injections of vitamin B12, called hydroxocobalamin.

The NHS advises if the deficiency is caused by a lack of the vitamin in your diet, you may be advised to take vitamin B12 supplements every day between meals.

If you suspect symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, speak to your GP.