What happens if your B12 stays low?

Not having enough B12 can lead to anemia, which means your body does not have enough red blood cells to do the job. This can make you feel weak and tired. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause damage to your nerves and can affect memory and thinking.


What happens if your B12 is low for too long?

If left untreated, the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency tend to worsen and irreversible problems involving the nerves and brain may develop. The risk of experiencing a number of serious complications, including heart failure, may also increase.

What is a dangerously low vitamin B12 level?

Values of less than 160 pg/mL (118 pmol/L) are a possible sign of a vitamin B12 deficiency. People with this deficiency are likely to have or develop symptoms. Older adults with a vitamin B12 level less than 100 pg/mL (74 pmol/L) may also have symptoms.


What can extremely low B12 cause?

Untreated, vitamin B-12 deficiency can lead to neurological problems, such as persistent tingling in the hands and feet or problems with balance. It can lead to mental confusion and forgetfulness because vitamin B-12 is necessary for healthy brain function.

What are the warning signs of vitamin B12 deficiency?

Vitamin B12deficiency symptoms may include:
  • strange sensations, numbness, or tingling in the hands, legs, or feet.
  • difficulty walking (staggering, balance problems)
  • anemia.
  • a swollen, inflamed tongue.
  • difficulty thinking and reasoning (cognitive difficulties), or memory loss.
  • weakness.
  • fatigue.


Vitamin B12 Deficiency Symptoms (ex. Depression), Why symptoms happen, Schilling’s test, Treatment



How long does it take to recover from a B12 deficiency?

Once you begin treating your vitamin B12 deficiency, it can take up to six to 12 months to fully recover. It is also common to not experience any improvement during the first few months of treatment. If you can, it's a good idea to address what's causing the deficiency.

What is the fastest way to fix B12 deficiency?

To increase the amount of vitamin B12 in your diet, eat more of foods that contain it, such as:
  1. Beef, liver, and chicken.
  2. Fish and shellfish such as trout, salmon, tuna fish, and clams.
  3. Fortified breakfast cereal.
  4. Low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese.
  5. Eggs.


Can B12 deficiency cause weight loss?

Decreased appetite and weight loss. As a result of digestive problems, such as nausea, people with vitamin B-12 deficiency may lose their appetite. A decreased appetite can lead to weight loss in the long term.


How long does it take to feel better after a B12 shot?

Since B12 shots are injected intramuscularly bypassing the digestive process, they start to work immediately. Typically, our patients experience positive effects between 24-72 hours after the treatment.

How often should B12 injections be given?

If your vitamin B12 deficiency is not caused by a lack of vitamin B12 in your diet, you'll usually need to have an injection of hydroxocobalamin every 2 to 3 months for the rest of your life.

How many B12 injections do you need?

We highly recommend that if you have a B12 deficiency to have a injectable once every week for 3 weeks. Then every month for three months and then one single jab every three months.


What should you not do after a B12 shot?

Avoid strenuous exercise for 48 hours after your treatment. Avoid touching the injection site for 6 hours after your treatment. You may experience a dull ache at the injections site for around 1 hour after your treatment. Avoid any blood thinning medication.

How will I feel after a B12 injection?

Though this vitamin is naturally produced in your body, the injection of additional B12 may cause some internal side effects you should know about. It is common to experience headaches, dizziness, and weakness immediately after the injection. These should fade fairly quickly.

What does B12 injections do for you?

Health care providers commonly prescribe vitamin B-12 shots to help prevent or treat pernicious anemia and B-12 deficiency.


Do B12 injections work?

Vitamin B12 Shots Are Very Effective

Injections are usually given as hydroxocobalamin or cyanocobalamin. These are very effective at raising blood levels of B12 and preventing/reversing a deficiency. Bottom Line: If you are deficient in vitamin B12, then the injections are very effective at raising your blood levels.

How long does it take for B12 to make a difference?

It may take a few weeks before your vitamin B12 levels and symptoms (such as extreme tiredness or lack of energy) start to improve. If you have hydroxocobalamin injections to boost your vitamin B12 levels at the start of treatment, the cyanocobalamin tablets may start to work within a few days.

Which fruit is rich in vitamin B12?

Fruits like apples, bananas, blueberries and oranges are some fruits that are high in vitamin B12.


What food is highest in B12?

Vitamin B12 is a key nutrient that your body needs for many essential functions. It's found in large amounts in animal products, fortified foods, and dietary supplements. Some of the richest sources are liver, beef, sardines, clams, and dairy products.

Can low B12 make you feel weird?

A lack of B12 may lead to depression, confusion, memory problems, and dementia. It also can affect your balance. B12 supplements are usually safe.

What number should your B12 level be?

Understanding the Results

But a normal level of vitamin B12 in your bloodstream is generally between 190 and 950 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL). Between 200 to 300 pg/mL is considered borderline and your doctor may do more testing.


Does low B12 mean leukemia?

Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause profound alterations in the bone marrow. These alterations can mimic the more serious diagnosis of acute leukemia.

How long does it take to recover B12 deficiency?

Once you begin treating your vitamin B12 deficiency, it can take up to six to 12 months to fully recover. It is also common to not experience any improvement during the first few months of treatment. If you can, it's a good idea to address what's causing the deficiency.

How long do B12 shots last?

Simply put, how long the B12 shot will last is different for everyone. Though it differs a bit from one person to another, the effects of B12 vitamins usually last around 48 hours to 72 hours after the initial injection.


Does B12 deficiency cause dizziness?

Low Vitamin B12 Levels Can Cause Dizziness

Deficiencies in this essential vitamin may lead to a number of neurological problems, including feeling off-balance, and having low blood pressure and decreased blood flow to your brain, says Whitman.

Do you feel better after B12 injections?

“How soon will I feel less tired after a B12 Injection?”- is the question we get asked a lot. Since B12 shots are injected intramuscularly bypassing the digestive process, they start to work immediately. Typically, our patients experience positive effects between 24-72 hours after the treatment.