Pins and Needles (Paraesthesia)
Paraesthesia is an abnormal sensation or tingling in body parts that are not stimulated. Paraesthesia is a common symptom of vitamin B deficiency and can occur when there is a lack of vitamin B1 (thiamine) in the body.
Vitamin B is hydrophilic and, therefore, cannot be stored in the body. Because of this, any excesses or deficiencies are immediately flushed from the body via urine. Vitamin B is essential for proper nerve function. When there is insufficient vitamin B in the body, it will start to disrupt normal nerve function, leading to problems with sensation, muscle control, and other nervous system functions. Impaired nerve conduction leads to dysfunction in muscle movement and impaired sensation. When nerves are not working properly, they may send incorrect signals to the brain, which causes abnormal sensations, such as tingling or burning pain.
The numbness and tingling often start in the hands and feet, but they can spread to other body parts if left untreated. There are several tests that your doctor can use to determine if you have a vitamin B deficiency, including a blood test measuring your serum B12 levels. If your parietal cells aren’t producing enough intrinsic factors, you’ll need to take injectable vitamin B12 for it to be properly absorbed by your body. In some cases, treatment with injectable vitamins can permanently reverse parietal cell deficiency symptoms if caught early.
