Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
There are quite a number of symptoms that may lead to a conclusion that vitamin b12 deficiency is occurring. Some of the symptoms include:
- Severe muscle weakness
- Loss of desire to eat
- Weight loss
- Appearance of white spots on the skin
- Anemia
- Tingling sensation in the hands and feet
- Loss of balance
- Pale skin
- Constipation / diarrhea
Since the symptoms are not specific to vitamin b12 deficiency only, further assessment has to be performed by physicians and medical practitioners.
Diagnosis of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
It is a fact that not all symptoms present in vitamin b12 deficiency immediately point to a deficiency problem in such vitamin. People should understand that there are vitamin b12 deficiency symptoms that are similar to vitamin a, vitamin c, and vitamin d deficiency symptoms. That is why before a physician arrives at a conclusion that there is indeed a deficiency problem, a series of laboratory procedures and tests have to be done. Since vitamin b12 deficiency pertains to a problem in the blood, then blood test is performed. This is done in order to know the amount of red blood cells present in the blood. If the amount goes below 4.5 to 5.5M per cumm, then it is understood that anemia is on the rise. Upon seeing this result, plus all other symptoms the person is manifesting, the physician may say that there is a problem with vitamin b12 since this vitamin helps in red blood cell formation. In order to know more if there are any abnormalities in the blood, biopsy is then performed. With biopsy, physicians are able to identify what kind of anemia the person is experiencing by looking into the structure and shape of the red blood cells. After the tests are performed, then the physician can come up with the diagnosis. Then, proper management will be given.