Vitamin deficiencies are very common. If your diet does not contain adequate amounts of certain vitamins, it is possible for you to become deficient. If you think that you may have a B12 deficiency, you are probably wondering what some of the different symptoms are. Here are some of the B12 deficiency symptoms that you will want to watch out for.

Common Symptoms of B12 Deficiency

If you have a B12 deficiency, then it is likely that you will experience one or more of the common symptoms of this health problem. Some of these symptoms may include unexplained fatigue, digestion problems, decrease in appetite, nausea, and irregular or complete lack of menstruation. If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, there is a possibility that you may be suffering from a B12 deficiency.

Other Symptoms of B12 Deficiency

There are other symptoms associated with B12 deficiencies which may be more difficult to diagnose or may not necessarily be experienced by everyone. Some of these symptoms include numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, nervousness, diarrhea, mild depression, behavioral changes, paranoia, fever, frequent upper respiratory infections, impotence, impaired memory, and sore tongue. Even if you do not experience these symptoms of B12 deficiency, it is still possible that you may be suffering from this health problem.

Foods That are High in B12

Foods that are high in B12 include liver, chicken giblets, kidney, egg yolks, dried beans, lentils, split peas, soy products, almonds, nuts, wholegrain breads, wheat flour, potato, sweet potato, spinach, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, asparagus, oranges, and peaches. If your diet is not very high in foods that are rich in B12, it is more than likely that you may be experiencing a deficiency. Diets which are known to be low in B12-rich foods are more likely to cause this health problem. Also keep in mind that drinking alcohol on a regular basis, the birth control pill, and certain medical conditions can increase your likelihood of experiencing a B12 deficiency as well.

Do Symptoms Always Indicate Deficiency?

Keep in mind that symptoms of a B12 deficiency may not actually indicate that you have one. It is possible that they can be caused by other health conditions, which may be much more serious. These can include Lupus or Lyme’s Disease. It is important to visit your primary care physician if you suspect that you may be B12 deficient.

A B12 deficiency can be very dangerous. Finding out early if you are experiencing it is one of the first steps to ensuring that this is not a problem in the future. Eating foods that contain high amounts of B12 or taking a vitamin supplement will prevent this type of deficiency from being a problem for you.