Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms (+ how to test for it and treat it with supplements)

A major list of Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms. How to know if your B12 levels are how, how to test for B12 deficiency, and how to treat B12 deficiency with supplements.

Treating vitamin B12 deficiency is one of my favorite conditions to treat because I consider it an easy win for many people. Simply taking B12 is enough to fix the problem and may help you feel better very quickly.

But before we talk about treatment we need to discuss vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms.

You can find a list of symptoms associated with low B12 levels below:

#1. Fatigue/weakness - Probably the most common symptom.

#2. Weight gain - Unexplained weight gain may be due to low B12.

#3. Brain fog - The inability to focus or concentrate.

#4. Depression - Depression AND anxiety can be associated with B12 deficiency.

#5. Numbness/tingling - Usually a sign of more advanced deficiency.

#6. Tongue changes - Including tongue lesions.

#7. Constipation

#8. Heart palpitations

#9. (Forgot to discuss in the video) HAIR LOSS - I can't believe I forgot this one but yes low B12 levels can lead to hair loss.

#10. (Forgot to discuss in the video) ANEMIA - Also, I forgot to mention that low B12 can lead to a specific type of anemia (megaloblastic anemia) which is rare but does happen.

How to TEST for B12 deficiency:

There are several ways to test for Vitamin b12 deficiency but not all of the tests are great.

The list includes:

Serum B12 levels - Serum B12 is the worst way to test for B12 deficiency and is often very inaccurate.
Methylmalonic acid - Methylmalonic acid is better than serum B12 but is often not ordered by doctors.
MCV - MCV is a measure of the SIZE of your red blood cells. A high MCV can indicate you have B12 deficiency.
Homocysteine - Homocysteine will increase with low B12 levels.

If you decide that you have both the symptoms of B12 deficiency AND abnormal lab tests then you may want to consider supplementation.

The best supplements include:
- Methylcobalamin
- Hydroxycobalamin
- Adenosylcobalamin

These are PRE-METHYLATED and PRE-ACTIVATED forms of B12. You will want to use these over the cheaper version of B12 known as cyanocobalamin. The recommended formulations of B12 are safe to use if you have the MTHFR defect and can be readily used by the body without the need for activation.

Recommended thyroid supplements to enhance thyroid function:

See ALL of my specialized supplements including protein powders, thyroid supplements, and weight loss products here:

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Disclaimer:

This video is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, treatment, diagnosis, prescription, or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Childs and you. You should not make any changes to your medications or health regimens without first consulting a physician. If you have any questions please consult with your current primary care provider. Restart Medical LLC and Dr. Westin Childs are not liable or responsible for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis, or any other information, services, or product you obtain through this website or video.
#thyroid #hypothyroidism #hashimoto's

[samanthacameron]

I had hair loss in 2008 - thyroid tested. 2 x scopes for reflux . Gallbladder removal 1996. Pins and needles in hands and feet 2009 - tested for diabetes. treated for back and neck pain 2010. Tinnitus - growling in ear - electric shock sensations / crawling on the skin / depression - told ? psychosis 2013. Treated with meds and ended up on a ECG - gait / walk changed. Things continued and I had palpitations - extreme fatigue. Felt like I was vibrating ( now know it was internal tremors). Was treated for anxiety. Brain fog with difficulty swallowing / talking. Ended up with an aspirate pneumonia. Was treated but not investigated further. Developed extreme tremor - previously reported and dismissed. Balance and walking problems. Numbness in hands and face and feet. Decided to have private bloods obtained. B12 was 19. Vit D was 7. Folate was 1.1 . Bone profile abnormal. I looked like someone with Parkinson's disease at this point. Neurological review - subacute combined degeneration of spinal cord due to b12 deficiency. Was told this happened due to misdiagnosis and no treatment. I have started treatment and have slight improvement. We still dont know if I have permanent damage or not. I was a healthy mum of 3 and a very devoted midwife prior to all this - I now struggle with daily activity. I just joined a b12 support group and discovered that this happens a lot here in UK. I am gutted. I almost cried when I saw your youtube video - someone who actually understands and gets this. They should make ur video mandatory for GPs here. Much love to you !

[aljab]

Dr. Childs. I really appreciate your video on B12. I am a 70 year old male with diabetes, cholesterol and atrial fibrilation. For the past months I was feeling very tired, had to take naps during the day and lacked energy. I went to see my doctor who ordered a blood test for B12. It came back with 310 which is barely above the minimum range of 232-1245. The doctor advised me to take B12 supplement with 1000 mg. I did buy it and started using it 4 days ago. I was shocked at how quickly things changed. I am not tired anymore. I am mentally sharper and do not need afternoon naps. Today I stumbled across your video and watch it in entirety. I exhibited most of the symptoms you listed. I appreciate your video very much and highly recommend it. In fact, I subscribed to your channel. Keep up the good work, Sir.

[ginacreativeartofficial]

I have pernicious anaemia and before I was tested for low B12, I was extremely ill. I got to the point I was unable to walk, I couldn’t function at all, I was so exhausted to the point I was asleep most of the time, I couldn’t stand up, I was extremely clumsy, my brain fog was severe and I had to have treatment at home due to the severity of the symptoms. I have B12 injections every three months. I would say to anyone who has these symptoms to please get your blood test, also if you can, please ask to have the homocysteine test as well. After doing a lot of research with the help of the Pernicious Anaemia Society here in the U.K. I have been advised that the Serum B12 is generally inaccurate as it shows inactive B12 levels, meaning your real count is much lower. Also Dr’s here don’t treat it unless your levels drop below 211, which is dangerously low and leaves you prone to long term neuropathic issues and psychological issues which manifest long before the haematological changes. Another point to note is that folic acid masks B12 deficiency so please keep that in mind as if you’re taking it, you could be masking your deficiency without realising. It’s also worth noting that in reality, any serum B12 reading below 1, 000 is actually considered a deficiency according to the Pernicious Anaemia Society, so a lot of work still needs to be done to change the guidelines and to teach Dr’s in order to protect patients in the future from long term lifelong damage due to low B12.

[kemamaharaj]

Dr Westin Childs good morning from South Africa. Am a cancer patient out of treatment now. My b12 was bad i used to lose balance get forgetful. Am 70year old. I have neurobion injection once a month. Am now taking it for 7 months and i do feel a big difference. Thanks again for your beautiful message. Hope my journey in life goes well. God bless you always and stay safe

[speratum]

I'm a woman. My MCV is 98. My doctor didn't mention b12 deficiency. He only suggested me to take iron, whereas my iron level is normal. Thank you so much for this useable information!!!

[cheriehalter]

I rarely comment, but you, good sir, are a genuine doctorand worthy of my humble praise. Thank you, I suspected a deficiency and have been battling this for more than a decade to varying degrees, and this information presented so succinctly was something I could really take hold of and validate and even more importantly use to make corrections. I can't thank you enough for your channel. I wish we had actual doctors we could visit that have your command of their own gray matter and the guts to provide care as such, rather than the one size fits all socialist system we have now. I wish ALL insurance and pharmaceutical companies would become a thing of the past. I would rather pay my doctor, one such as yourself, directly monthly whether I use them or not than an insurance company. I am not alone.

[tonik]

Wow! I accidentally came across a b12 video this morning and I think someone knows my life history. I have most of the symptoms listed. I happened to have a bottle of b12 that I started today. I will have to check the type it is. I am tired of being exhausted with brain fog that leaves me feeling like I get absolutely nothing done in a day. Thank you so much for the clear and concise explanation!

[Nora]

In my first medicare visit labs ordered revealed B12 deficiency, quite low. I had been experiencing symptoms that kept hindering my my ability to work and daily life activities and interaction with others. I had also shoulder and knee pain with limping. But at 66 you are just getting old, That was my train of thought. We are programed to believe that getting old is the root of all sickness. The thing that surprised me the most, is that my dr did not prescribed any supplementation since my D was also in the dumps. She just wanted to prescribe me and got me on Metformin (bad for b 12). I was also in a pre diabetic state and osteoporosis. So on my own, I am also a nurse, I went on to supplement and change my diet and increased my activity. I feel very blessed and lucky because I know that irreversibly damage can happen with this deficiencies. I had most of the symptoms you mention to a mild degree. I am still supplementing but every other day; my labs show they got to the normal range. I also eat more wholesome foods with lots of fatty fish sardines. I also took care of the pre diabetes with a low carb diet and exercise. Thank you, that is a brilliant explanation that people should take notice of!

[terrialdrich]

So much info ~so much passion to help. You're amazing Dr. Ty

[edwardlocke]

I have been diagnosed with b12 shortage, I have all those symptoms. The numbing and tingling come and go so I hope we can get a handle on it. Thank SOOOO much Doctor! 13:02

[crystalkeara]

My MCV is 95 and homocysteine is 15. B12 serum was low normal range so my doctor put me on weekly methyl B12 injections. Hopefully I will soon be doing them myself at home. Great video.

[crolmac]

Good video. I finally was told by a neuro to take b12 and within 10 days saw difference. Didn't change anything to my hair, but a low grade urinary incontinence i took for granted after my delivery has gotten better over the year i am taking it, and one strange thing i saw nowhere in these videos: my feet which swell in hot weather, only got to about a fourth of what they usually swell....just as an info...plus i realised that i probably have this on and off since a young age...

[EmilieLaughlin]

This 13min video gave me more insight than my normal doctor visits! I suffer with PCOS and can't seem to find help with any of my local doctors. How can I get you to be my doctor lol

[chrisgabriel]

I just checked the Central Market brand of B complex I had been taking and it had the not so good kind of B12.
Now I’m taking Dr. Childs B12. I feel better.

[MrDandelio]

I had the symptoms and suspected thyroid issue, this morning I was getting a blood sample ( finger prick) for a home thyroid test. The blood would not flow, it took a great deal of effort to barely fill the tiny container. In the meantime my whole body turned white and cold, my fingers and toes remain white and tingly even when trying to warm up by gentle exercise. I have a good diet but autoimmune issue (not enough stomach acid part of it) so it looks I may have hit home….Thank you 🌸

[eduardschweden]

From my experience as a medical doctor:
what is importandly lacking in this presentation about vit. B12:
if there is a block or twist in the vertebral column at the level of thoracal vertebra 5, 6 and/or 7, which is a very common problem wihtout people realising this: there might be pressure on one side of the orthosympathic nerve stations of nodes which are lined up just in front of these vertebra's: Then this pressure in the nerves to the stomach which leaves from there, by twisted T5 T6 or T7 gives chronical irritation to the stomach (too much nerve impulses) In the wall of the stomach there is so called intrinsic factor, which is needed to absorb vit. B12, and will through the irration in the stomach nerves become less available for B12 absorbtion.. So many people dont absorb B12 well anough in their gut for that reason, and consequently T5 T6 and T6 need to be controlled first whether these are in position or not and adjusted by an osteopath or somebody well trained for these vertrebral joint problems. Meanwhile this is the reason it is better to start with B12 by injection somewhere in the muscle until the readjustment of the thoracal column has taken place..

[jmseipp]

Extreme fatigue, being barely able to climb a flight of stairs, heart pounding so bad that it feels like it’ll explode! Feeling like you’re 98 going on 99! Very painful ‘pins and needles’ feeling in arms, hands, fingers. Confusion, inability to concentrate or study. ‘Geographic Tongue’ with dark purple areas, cracks along the edges and numbness. These and more are the symptoms I experienced with a severe B12 deficiency due to being stubbornly Vegan for so many years. I was finally diagnosed by an alternative medicine doctor through blood work and he had me injecting B12 2X per week, then 1X per week, then monthly, for years. I now maintain my B12 levels with sublingual Methylcobalamin supplementation. It made a world of difference! If you are hypochloridic (low stomach acid), lack Intrinsic Factor or don’t have the proper gut bacteria, you won’t be absorbing B12 from your diet. Sublingual supplementation with sublingual Methycobalamin is the way to go.

A great book on this subject is titled ‘Could it be B12?’ Find it on Amazon.

[barabaraholmes]

Yes i was told by dr that my B 12 was low last month and iron was low also just started taking b12 i hope i will feel better soon. Thank u so much 4 ur info

[shelleyannbeme]

I had all those symptoms. My doctor put me on a B12 vitamin. I am feeling better.

[HeartBreakHigh]

Amazingly useful information, thank you! . God bless you doctor! 💚