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Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause significant disease, including severe neurologic problems. However, patient presentations can vary greatly.
Signs and symptoms can include:
- Constitutional symptoms: fatigue, lack of energy, lightheadedness, loss of appetite
- Gastrointestinal problems: diarrhea or constipation
- Cardiovascular: shortness of breath, dyspnea on exertion, tachycardia, CHF
- Oral lesions: swollen, red tongue (glossitis) or bleeding gums
- Problems concentrating
Prolonged B12 deficiency can lead to significant neurologic complications, frequently related to the spinal cord, and can include:
- Mild impairment to dementia
- Depression, psychosis
- Loss of balance, limb weakness, ataxia
- Peripheral neuropathy (numbness and tingling of hands and feet)