A vitamin B12 shortage often causes tiredness, tingling in hands or feet, forgetfulness and a pale colour. The symptoms come on slowly and look like ordinary fatigue, so men often carry on for a long time. A blood test brings it into view.
What makes it tricky: the symptoms overlap with stress and lack of sleep. That makes B12 a classic missed cause.
Which symptoms fit a B12 shortage?
Besides tiredness there can be neurological complaints: tingling, numbness, less concentration and sometimes an unsteady walk. A long-term shortage can cause anaemia. A low vitamin B12, and sometimes the active vitamin B12, shows whether something is going on.
Who is more likely to be low?
If you eat little or no animal products the risk is higher, because B12 sits mainly in meat, fish, egg and dairy. Stomach or bowel problems and long-term use of certain stomach medicines also reduce uptake.
Vegetarians and vegans often watch this already. Even so, we regularly see a low value in them too.
What do you do with a low result?
Discuss a low value with your GP. They can look at whether it comes from diet or uptake, and what fits. Tingling or numbness is a reason not to wait too long.
Also read the pillar always tired as a man and the piece on vitamin D deficiency.
Getting started
The B Vitamins panel maps your B vitamins, and the Complete Men's Health Panel takes a broader look at your energy.
References
- NHG-Standaard Anaemia (vitamin B12, biology). Dutch College of General Practitioners.
- Health Council of the Netherlands. Dietary reference values for vitamin B12. The Hague.
- Netherlands Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum). Vitamin B12: sources and function.
Disclaimer
Caliberhealth works with BIG-registered doctors who assess your blood results. This article gives general information and is not a substitute for medical advice from a GP or specialist. A blood test is a tool, not a diagnosis in itself. For serious symptoms, contact your GP, or in an emergency call 112.
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