Vitamin B12 deficiency is a health disorder that, on the long run, can cause serious neurological damage. It is therefore very important that it is diagnosed as soon as possible and treated effectively. Often, a person might be suffering from this condition without even knowing it. For this reason, it would be very helpful to locate the first possible signs of the problem. Specifically, since a lot of questions are asked about the most common vitamin b12 deficiency symptoms in women, we will attempt to provide some helpful answers to this matter.

Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms in women

Irregular menstruation
Quite a few women with vitamin B12 deficiency notice problems in their menstrual cycle, with irregularities either in the length or in the amount of bleeding. And while the deficiency might not be the singular cause, it is definitely not making things any better. If you notice repeated such problems that cannot be traced down to any other cause, you should be conducting the necessary b12 deficiency tests as soon as possible.

Deficiency in pregnant and lactating women
On average, a healthy adult woman should take in at least 2.4 micrograms of b12 vitamin per day in order to sustain normal vitamin b12 blood levels. If the woman is pregnant or lactating however, sticking to this amount will most probably not be enough. This is because both the fetus and the newborn need some amounts of vitamin b12 for their own development, thereby draining the mother’s own storage of vitamin b12. If the mother does not increase her daily intake of vitamin B12 by roughly 10% in case of pregnancy and 20% in case of lactation, she may eventually develop vitamin b12 deficiency. Due to the relatively temporary nature of pregnancy and lactation, if the deficiency is kept at a minimum level, no serious problems will occur. But in some cases the vitamin b12 deficiency symptoms in women are more serious and the pregnant or lactating woman may exhibit typical symptoms of b12 deficiency, such as anemia (reduced amount of red blood cells), otherwise unreasonable fatigue, and even temporary mental disorders. If you are a pregnant or lactating woman, consult your doctor on the best ways to replenish the increased amounts of B12 vitamins that your situation requires.

On the whole, studies have not indicated an excessive difference in vitamin b12 deficiency symptoms between men and women. However, below are some of the most frequently reported b12 deficiency symptoms by women.

Numbness
Lack of sufficient quantities of vitamin B12 predominantly affects nervous tissue. Symptoms of numbness or tingling in the upper or lower extremities are grave warning signs of vitamin B12 deficiency. At the slightest hint of such an unusual body sensation, consult your physician immediately if you cannot reasonably attribute the problem to any other cause.
Mood changes and concentration issues

Other Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms in women

A vitamin B-12 deficiency may decrease the amount of red blood cells, and as a result, your brain might find itself lacking sufficient quantities of oxygen to function at full capacity. Poor levels of oxygen in your brain may affect your mood or induce symptoms such as a dizziness and confusion. It is also possible that a vitamin b12 deficient female may experience lapses of concentration. Again, if you notice any of these symptoms for no apparent cause, consult your doctor immediately and seek to undergo the necessary tests.

In a nutshell, vitamin b12 deficiency symptoms in women do not vary greatly from those most commonly found on men. However, there are some symptoms that have most often been reported by women. In any event, at the slightest suspicion of a vitamin b12 deficiency problem, you should undergo a medical checkup. Usually, vitamin B12 deficiency can be treated easily and mildly if it is diagnosed early enough. Take matters in your own hands and do not wait until it is too late.

Vitamin B12 deficiency is closely associated with serious neurological disorders, such as peripheral neuropathy and dementia, as well as various spinal cord problems. And while it can affect people of pretty much any age, it is more frequent in the elderly. Vegetarians also are at a greater risk of having B12 deficiency, because vitamin B12 is taken in primarily from animal food sources. Similarly, people who engage in recreational drug or heavy alcohol use may also be unable to sustain proper B12 vitamin levels. Nonetheless, even if you do not belong to a higher risk category, it is important to check for this deficiency at least once per year. The traditional vitamin B12 deficiency test method consists of a simple examination of B12 vitamin levels in the human blood.

Vitamin B12 deficiency test

Recent research from the University of Saint Louis, however, has indicated that this vitamin B12 deficiency test alone may be insufficient to determine vitamin B12 deficiency. In fact, it was found that more than three quarters of 34 patients with otherwise normal B12 blood levels exhibited increased levels of methylmalonic acid (MMA), a naturally occurring compound in the human body whose concentration increases when vitamin B12 is in shortage. The researchers therefore suggest that doctors who believe their patients to be lacking vitamin B12, should also test them for proper levels of methylmalonic acid.

In some difficult cases however, even the above b12 deficiency tests might not be enough. If vitamin B12 deficiency is suspected as the cause of damage to the nervous system, an analysis in cerebrospinal fluid is necessary. Of course, this is a heavily invasive procedure and should only be conducted if all other tests are unreaveling.

Why vitamin B12 deficiency test is necessary

In any event, it is important to note that vitamin B12 deficiency, if left unattended, can have grave effects on the health of an individual. At the slightest suspicion of such a deficiency, patients and doctors alike should carry out the necessary vitamin B12 deficiency test to determine if it is indeed the case. It should be especially stressed that neither the tests nor the potential treatment are particularly expensive. In fact, even if a person is diagnosed with this deficiency, the most usual method of treatment is a simple oral supplementation. It is only in very severe cases that more intrusive methods, such as intramuscular injections or blood transfusion, may be considered.

By far the most common vitamin B12 deficiency causes are directly related to a persons lifestyle and diet. In order to make certain that you are not vitamin B12 deficient you should always make certain that you are eating enough food that contains vitamin B12. The most common types of these foods are meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, cheese, or shellfish. When you eat enough of these foods it is normal for them to be processed in the stomach where the body separates the B12 from the food using a protein called intrinsic factor and then this protein, along with the B12, is absorbed into the body through the small intestine.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency Causes

The most common vitamin B12 deficiency cause is the choice to adhere to a strictly vegetarian or vegan diet. This type of diet is sorely lacking in any vitamin B12 and in fact advocates of these types of lifestyle diets commonly recommend that a person take a daily supplement that includes vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 deficiency is also common amongst chromic alcoholics. Individuals with Chrohn’s disease or celiac disease are also known to commonly have a vitamin B12 deficiency. Less common and yet still common enough to mention is individual’s that are infected with a tapeworm from fish or those that have some other type of bacteria infection that interferes with their proper digestion.

Some people that have a certain condition called pernicious anemia, where their body itself destroys the intrinsic factor protein and as a result their ability to absorb vitamin B12. While others have had surgeries where they have has critical portions of their stomachs or intestines removed and as a result they have lost their ability to naturally extract B12 from food and absorb it into their bloodstream. The last most common vitamin B12 deficiency cause is the taking of antacids or heartburn medications for chronic conditions. The individuals that take these medications regularly for years can create a condition within their stomach where the medications interfere with their ability to extract and absorb vitamin B12, as a result they too can become vitamin B12 deficient.

While these are the most common vitamin B12 deficiency causes there are numerous other conditions that can make a person vitamin B12 deficient. These conditions are as numerous as the people that have them and for them it is best to identify their symptoms, treat those symptoms, and as a result cure their deficiency. The most typical symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency are fatigue, loss of appetite, pale skin. swollen tongue, constipation, difficulty with concentration and light headedness. More severe vitamin B12 deficiency is characterized by depression, loss of motor functions, numbness or pricking and tingling in extremities, and dementia.

Of course the most severe of these symptoms would need to be treated by seeking the attention of a medical doctor. As for the lesser of the symptoms, a person would do well to analyze their diet and/or take a vitamin B12 supplement if they are experiencing these symptoms and cannot identify any other cause. Certainly if the symptoms persist, it is advised that you seek out a physician in order to determine the vitamin B12 deficiency causes that are directly related to you.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency Causes video

When someone is diagnosed as anemic it is generally referring to the fact that they do not have enough red blood cells. In the case of vitamin B12 deficiency anemia the body does not have enough vitamin B12 and vitamin B12 is a critical ingredient in the production of red blood cells. Red blood cells are responsible for delivering oxygen throughout the body and a therefore when someone does not have enough of these blood cells they can oftentimes feel weak and/or tired.

Vitamin B12 is primarily sourced by the body through an individual’s ingestion of eggs, meat, milk or other dairy products. Once ingested the B12 is processed through the digestive system and absorbed into the body through the lining of the stomach and the intestines. A person that is already eating these foods can become vitamin B12 deficient if their body is not properly processing and then absorbing the vitamin B12. There are a few reasons that this can happen.

The first is if you have a vitamin B12 deficiency anemia called pernicious anemia. With this condition your body proactively attacks the B12 in your system resulting in a B12 deficiency. The second primary cause is found in people that have had surgery where they have had a part of their stomach or small intestine removed. This occurs during certain types of weight loss surgery. A third reason for this deficiency is when your body is having difficulty with proper digestion. This could be found in a person that has celiac disease, abnormal bacteria growth in their digestive system, Chrohn’s disease, or when a person is hosting a parasite.

Though it should go without saying, if a person is not eating enough meat, dairy, eggs, and cheese in order to initially ingest the necessary B12, they too will become vitamin B12 deficient without having any of the above conditions. Vitamin B12 deficient diets can be found in many people that are strict vegan and this lack of B12 can easily be supplemented with a properly sized daily vitamin B12 capsule

Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia treatment

The proper dosage of vitamin B12 varies depending on the age of the individual. For toddlers 1-3 years of age a daily amount of 0.9 micro grams is sufficient. For children 4-8 1.2 micro grams is suggested. For those 9-13 the recommendation moves up to 1.8 micro grams and for those 14 and older the daily recommended amount of vitamin B12 is 2.4 micro grams per day. Pregnant women and women that are breast feeding are to take 2.6 and 2.8 micro grams respectively and return to the normal adult dosage after they finish breast feeding.

If you are concerned about your daily dosage of vitamin B12 you can take a daily supplement or monitor the foods you eat in case you want to fight the vitamin B12 deficiency anemia. A single egg can contain 1/2 a micro gram and 8 ounces of plain yogurt can contain 1 micro gram. Clams contain as many as 10 micro grams for every 3 ounces and a fortified breakfast cereal can contain as much as 6 micro grams per serving. As you can see, getting your daily recommended dose of vitamin B12 is not difficult in order to fight the vitamin B12 deficiency anemia.

Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia video

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Neuropathy is a condition where a single nerve or nerve group is not properly functioning and causing pain. There are a great number of different types of neuropathies, but only one is commonly referred to as having a vitamin B12 deficiency neuropathy connection. Vitamin B12 is a critical component in the proper functioning of all nerves. As a result a Vitamin B12 deficiency can create several types of neuropathies. The three most common are pernicious anemia, optic neuropathy and peripheral neuropathy.

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), a vitamin B12 neuropathy connection is common because vitamin B12 itself is not only necessary for nerve function, but also for its important role in the synthesis of DNA and its role in neurological functions. In fact the AAFP has written that a Vitamin B12 deficiency can be a primary factor in many conditions. These conditions can be treated with early diagnosis and early dosing of vitamin B12. The two main categories of conditions that can be treated by early vitamin B12 dosing are the conditions that are known to be within the umbrella of neuropsychiatric and hematological disorders.

The vitamin B12 deficiency neuropathy connection is widely know and accepted in the medical community as a condition that is commonly undiagnosed. The actual percentage of adults that are vitamin B12 deficient within the general population has never been studied in enough depth to identify its prevalence. The only studies that have been conducted seem to indicate that a vitamin B12 deficiency is more common in adults over the age of 65. Some believe that at the time of this study the use of anti gas and anti acid medications was widespread in the over 65 population and could have skewed the results. Anti gas and anti acid medications can create a condition within the stomach whereby the body’s natural process of vitamin B12 absorption is hindered. Nevertheless the fact remains that this group did have a higher prevalence of a vitamin B12 deficiency neuropathy connection.

Vitamin B12 Neuropathy Connection Importance

The connections between vitamin B12 deficiency and neuropathy cannot be overstated. The reason for this seemingly alarming statement is the fact that the body naturally holds a 3-5 year storehouse of extra vitamin B12 in the liver. This alone should be indicative of the critical nature of this vitamin. Anything the body itself stores for years in advance is clearly something that you do not want to ever be found lacking. But when a person is manifesting symptoms of a vitamin B12 neuropathy connection it can only be the result of a long term condition. In fact it has to be assumed that this person has had this condition causing the lack of B12 absorption for a period of over 3-5 years, the time it has taken for the body to deplete its storehouse and then to begin manifesting symptoms.

For this reason it is critical that anyone that is experiencing a symptoms of a vitamin B12 neuropathy connection should immediately seek out medical attention. After all, this condition has not come about overnight, by the time you recognize the symptoms it has already incubated in your body for 3-5 years. For other vitamin B12 Deficiency symptoms click the link.

Vitamin B12 Neuropathy Connection video

Vitamin B12 is a foundational building block for the development of RNA, red blood cells, nerve connections, and various other critical functions within our body. In fact, this single vitamin is critical enough to the proper function of the body that the body itself stores an extra 3-5 year supply in the liver. Anything important enough for the body to store an extra 3-5 year supply is certainly something for which you do not want to be found deficient.

Vitamin B12 has been linked to many different ailments and conditions. Some of these conditions are seemingly benign such as feeling tired or fatigued and others are severe such as with its connection to depression and even dementia. Other symptoms on the scale of low severity include pale skin, feeling light headed, losing weight, or even experiencing constipation or diarrhea. The list of severe symptoms, besides dementia and depression, include numbness in your extremities and even a loss of motor function or balance.

Of all of these conditions, none strike a chord of anxiety as much as the connection between vitamin B12 deficiency and hair loss. It is this single symptom of vanity that strikes the fear in more individuals that any other of the named vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms. It may be because of all the symptoms, hair loss is the one that is most often thought to be irreversible.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency and Hair Loss

The exact connection between vitamin B12 deficiency and hair loss is not exactly known, but what is known is that this deficiency can be identified as a direct cause of hair loss in some individuals. The most likely reason for this hair loss is the reduction of circulation that is caused by a vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12, being a primary building block for red blood cells, is as a result critical for circulation. Red blood cells are the transport system that delivers oxygen to all of the cells throughout the body, including the cells that make up the hair follicle. It stands to reason that as the body is producing less red blood cells and as a result delivering less oxygen, that hair health will suffer. This is also consistent with another symptom of vitamin B12 deficiency, numbness in the extremities. This too is caused by a lack of oxygen delivery and is the direct result of lower production of red blood cells.

Vitamin B12 deficiency and hair loss are inextricably interconnected and any individual that is experiencing hair loss may benefit from checking their levels of vitamin B12. This is not to say that they should take mega doses of the vitamin and as a result cause themselves other problems, but certainly taking a small supplement would be prudent. Maintaining healthy levels of vitamin B12 will assist your body in the production of red bloods cells and RNA and as a result your body is likely to have better circulation than if your were vitamin B12 deficient. This added circulation may be just the thing you need in order to maintain a healthy head of hair.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency and Hair Loss video

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Vitamin B12 is a critical building block of red blood cells and in in the formation of DNA. This one vitamin is also crucial for proper nerve function and is necessary for a person to feel strong and healthy. This is because red blood cells are the primary method by which oxygen is distributed throughout the body. This oxygen is needed by cells and is needed for the body to remain alive and energetic. The formation of DNA is critical because DNA is a foundational building block for all genetic material within cells. Excess vitamin B12 is stored in the liver until the body identifies a deficiency. A normal person can have as much as 36-60 months of excess vitamin B12 stored in the liver for emergencies.

Vitamin B12 deficiency tingling is most often the result of the body not having enough of the vitamin to properly deliver the necessary oxygen to the cells in the area of the tingling sensation. This is similar to when your hand or foot “falls asleep”. When an extremity is said to “fall asleep” it normally has a tingling sensation. This sensation is due to a lack of circulation in the area of the tingling. In the case of a hand, leg, or foot the sensation can be found throughout the area that is being deprived of proper circulation. In this same way a vitamin B12 deficiency tingling sensation is the result of there not being enough red blood cells to transport oxygen to the area of the sensation. In essence this area is being deprived of circulation and is resulting in it feeling the same as if it were “falling asleep”.

This particular condition is not healthy and should be diagnosed and treated by a physician. If you are experiencing tingling sensations in various parts of your body and you cannot identify an immediate cause, you should seek medical assistance. While a vitamin B12 deficiency is oftentimes simple to treat, it is a condition that should not be ignored. Vitamin B12 deficiency may also be a symptom of a more serious condition that needs medical attention.

B12 Deficiency Tingling Treatment

Anyone that feels they are experiencing vitamin B12 deficiency tingling sensations should take a vitamin B12 supplement. The fact that this deficiency may be an indication of a more serious underlying medical issue should lead any person that finds they are vitamin B12 deficient to determine, with the help of their doctor, the cause of the deficiency. Even if you already know that your lifestyle, such as a vegan lifestyle, has directly led to your deficiency, you should make certain that you do not have any other ancillary symptoms or problems that have occurred as a result.

With a vitamin this critical to your everyday life, there is no lee way in self diagnoses and natural cures. A vitamin B12 deficiency is too critical (much more critical than the vitamin b12 deficiency tingling symptom) and knowing that the body naturally holds a 36-60 month extra supply of vitamin B12 can lead you to the logical conclusion that whatever deficiency you are experiencing has been present for a long time. This alone should be motivation enough for you to seek out advice from your doctor to ensure you have not developed any other related illness.

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