People who experience extreme deficiencies in Vitamin B12 develop a condition known as anemia. People with Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia can experience various physical, psychological, and neural problems stemming from lacking B12 vitamins. In addition, Vitamin B12 is an essential element in producing red blood cells. If the body doesn’t have enough red blood cells, the hemoglobin levels will also fall, leading to problems.
Severe Vitamin B12 deficiency may cause damage to the nerves, which can lead to tingling sensations, loss of reflexes, muscular weakness, dementia, confusion, and mobility problems. Patients who present symptoms related to Vitamin B12 deficiency need confirmatory blood tests to determine if they have other underlying conditions that require medical care. Those with B12 deficiency develop anemia because the body produces abnormally large red blood cells (macrocytes) and white blood cells, which don’t function properly.
Vitamin B12 is typically stored in the liver, and any problems with the organ will lead to an imbalance. Although doctors recommend supplementing B12 vitamins, they also caution against taking too much B12 as it can potentially lead to different side effects.
Here are some of the symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency.
Jaundice
When people become jaundiced, the most visible manifestation is the yellowing of their eyeballs, the insides of their mouth, and skin. Jaundice is caused by excess bilirubin, the byproduct of the demise of red blood cells. Bilirubin also indicates that the liver is either overworked or not functioning correctly. The death of red blood cells means there’s less of them in the blood, and if the body can’t produce enough to compensate, the deficit can manifest into anemia.
While jaundice manifests through the yellowing of the mucus membranes, the skin, and the eyes, and with the presence of anemia, it may indicate an underlying condition known as a hemolytic disorder. While there may be several cures for such cases, if left misdiagnosed and untreated, such situations can lead to serious cardiac complications.
Doctors can treat what causes jaundice; typically, the condition goes away with the appropriate medication. However, doctors may suggest the procedure to keep patients healthy if the situation merits surgery.
