The body warns: it is acutely lacking vitamin B12 (video)

The level of vitamin B12 in the body can only be determined by a blood test. But indirect signs of its deficiency, with the help of which the body cries for help, can be seen even in the mirror.

This is pallor and a yellowish tint to the skin of the face, an inflamed tongue, weight loss and even… a twitching eye. How tells BB.LV, experts from the UK National Health Service have identified 4 symptoms on the face and tongue that indicate a lack of this vital substance. Vitamin B12 is essential for the functioning of the nervous system and the production of red blood cells, which are responsible for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide. How does the body signal its deficiency?

Pale and yellowish skin

As oxygen saturation of tissues decreases, the skin acquires a peculiar “pale” color. At the same time, even fair-skinned people will be paler than usual, which is why they appear somewhat sick. When vitamin B12 reserves reach a critical level and are almost depleted, a yellowish tint to the skin appears. Signs of jaundice appear not only on the skin; the whites of the eyes also acquire the same shade.

Vitamin deficiency “on the tongue”

A tongue that is swollen and inflamed, red and smooth in appearance, is indicative of glossitis (inflammation of the tongue) and indicates dangerously low levels of vitamin B12.

Weight loss is a sign of B12 deficiency

If you haven’t tried to lose weight or been on a diet, but suddenly find that your clothes are too big for you, it’s not necessarily a matter of some kind of “terrible” disease. Losing weight may also indicate a vitamin B12 deficiency.

Facial pain

Experts warn that vitamin B12 deficiency can not only be seen, but also felt in the form of painful sensations on the face. Various studies have shown that facial pain may be a sign of vitamin B12 deficiency. It periodically occurs under the eye or in the cheekbone area. Most often, only one half of the face is affected. Sometimes pain appears in the forehead area. Unpleasant sensations may intensify over time, then the pain will increase, as if “descending” to the wings of the nose.

“Nervous tic”

Many people know firsthand what a “twitching eye” is and habitually justify it by saying that they were simply nervous. In some cases, this unpleasant symptom may actually indicate that there has been too much stress in your life recently. But a twitching eye may also be a sign of vitamin B12 deficiency, experts say. The fact is that there are many nerves around the eyeballs that react to the lack of this vitamin. In this case, you may feel both twitching of the eyelid and squeezing pain in the eyes.

And that's not all

Additional signs of vitamin B12 deficiency:

• severe fatigue and apathy, even in the morning;
• dyspnea;
• feeling of weakness;
• headache;
• cardiopalmus;
• tinnitus (ringing or noise in the ears without external sound);
• loss of appetite;
• mouth ulcers;
• tingling in fingers and toes;
• change in gait;
• visual impairment;
• irritability;
• depression;
• decreased mental abilities (memory, attention, thinking).

Pernicious anemia

Experts say that in the UK the most common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency is pernicious anemia, an acquired autoimmune disease. When it occurs, the immune system begins to attack the stomach's own cells, preventing a protein (called intrinsic factor or Castle factor) from binding to vitamin B12 from food (there is a lot of it in meat, fish, eggs, cheese and milk) and converting it into an absorbable form. This glycoprotein must bind to the vitamin so that it can be reabsorbed through the intestines as it passes through the gastrointestinal tract.

Four more reasons for vitamin B12 deficiency:

1. taking certain medications to treat type 2 diabetes, which may interfere with the absorption of the vitamin;
2. vegan diet;
3. gastrectomy (removal of the stomach);
4. taking proton pump inhibitors, which suppress the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach; they are used in the treatment of ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux.

If you have discovered one of the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, and a blood test has confirmed it, you need to work with your doctor to figure out its cause. As experts clarify, depending on the cause, treatment options for B12 deficiency may vary – from tablets to intramuscular injections. So you shouldn’t delay your visit to the doctor, especially since your body is urgently asking you for help.

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