Vitamin B12 is one of those nutrients your body needs but doesn’t get the attention it deserves. You’d be surprised to find how many people are deficient in this vital vitamin and don’t even know it. If you’ve been a little off lately, fatigued, weak, or forgetful, it may be worth seeing if low B12 levels are the cause.
Let’s break it down in simple words — the symptoms for deficiency of vitamin B12, how to spot the unusual symptoms of B12 deficiency, and most importantly, how to fix vitamin B12 deficiency correctly.
Most Common Symptoms for Deficiency of Vitamin B12
These are the classic symptoms for deficiency of vitamin B12 that most people notice:
- Extreme tiredness or fatigue, even if you’re getting enough sleep
- Pale or yellowish skin
- Shortness of breath after light activity
- Heart palpitations
- Tingling or numbness in hands and feet
- Forgetfulness or trouble focusing
- Mood changes like irritability or even depression
- Mouth ulcers or a swollen tongue
- The feeling of being lightheaded or dizzy
They’re your body’s way of telling you something’s not right. If these things persist, check your B12 levels.
Unusual Symptoms of B12 Deficiency:
Some unusual symptoms of B12 deficiency can be sneaky. These can include:
- Vision problems due to damage to the optic nerve
- Burning sensations on the tongue
- Poor balance or clumsiness
- Paranoia or hallucinations (in extreme cases)
- Memory loss similar to dementia, particularly in older adults
These are not the obvious B12 symptoms, but they can be associated with B12 problems.
What Are the Normal B12 Levels for Adults?
This is generally how B12 levels are classified:
Normal B12 levels for adults: Above 300 pg/mL
Borderline: Between 200–300 pg/mL
Deficient: Below 200 pg/mL
Low doesn’t necessarily mean full deficiency; even borderline levels can trigger symptoms.
