A vitamin B12 deficiency can cause anemia and neurological symptoms. The NHS notes that B12 deficiency can lead to problems affecting the nervous system, including vision problems, memory issues, pins and needles, loss of coordination, and changes in the way you walk or move.
What Does Vitamin B12 Do?
Vitamin B12, also called cobalamin, helps the body make healthy red blood cells. These cells carry oxygen around the body. B12 also supports the protective covering around nerves, which helps nerve signals travel properly.
When B12 levels are low, the body may not make enough healthy red blood cells. This can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency anemia. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute explains that this condition develops when the body cannot make enough healthy red blood cells because it does not have enough vitamin B12.
But anemia is only part of the story. B12 deficiency can also affect the brain and nerves, and neurological symptoms can sometimes appear even before severe anemia is obvious.
1. Extreme Tiredness and Weakness
