How Much To Get?
The answer depends on things including your age, your eating habits and medical conditions, and what medications you take.
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These usually develop gradually, but can worsen if the condition goes untreated. General symptoms of anaemia may include: extreme tiredness (fatigue)
lack of energy (lethargy)
breathlessness
feeling faint
headaches
pale skin
noticeable heartbeats (palpitations)
hearing sounds coming from inside the body, rather than from an outside source (tinnitus)
loss of appetite and weight loss
Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency If you have anaemia caused by a vitamin B12 deficiency, you may have other symptoms, such as: a pale yellow tinge to your skin
a sore and red tongue (glossitis)
mouth ulcers
pins and needles (paraesthesia)
changes in the way that you walk and move around
disturbed vision
irritability
depression
changes in the way you think, feel and behave
a decline in your mental abilities, such as memory, understanding and judgement (dementia) Some of these symptoms can also happen in people who have a vitamin B12 deficiency but have not developed anaemia.
Symptoms of folate deficiency Additional symptoms in people with anaemia caused by a folate deficiency can include: symptoms related to anaemia
reduced sense of taste
diarrhoea
numbness and tingling in the feet and hands
muscle weakness
depression
When to see a GP See a GP if you’re experiencing symptoms of vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia. These conditions can often be diagnosed based on your symptoms and the results of a blood test. Although many of the symptoms improve with treatment, some problems caused by the condition can be irreversible if left untreated.
Symptoms Of Vitamin B12 Or Folate Deficiency
Symptoms of vitamin B12 or folate deficiency Vitamin B12 and folate perform several important functions in the body, including keeping the nervous system healthy. A deficiency in either of these vitamins can cause a wide range of problems, including: extreme tiredness
a lack of energy
pins and needles (paraesthesia)
a sore and red tongue
mouth ulcers
muscle weakness
disturbed vision
psychological problems, which may include depression and confusion
problems with memory, understanding and judgement Some of these problems can also happen if you have a deficiency in vitamin B12 or folate but do not have anaemia.
When To See A Gp
Treating vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia Most cases of vitamin B12 and folate deficiency can be easily treated with injections or tablets to replace the missing vitamins.
These treatments may be needed for the rest of your life. Folic acid tablets are used to restore folate levels. In some cases, improving your diet can help treat the condition and prevent it coming back.
The best sources of folate include green vegetables, such as broccoli, brussels sprouts and peas. Complications of vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia Although it’s uncommon, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency (with or without anaemia) can lead to complications, particularly if you have been deficient in vitamin B12 or folate for some time. Some complications improve with appropriate treatment, but others, such as problems with the nervous system, can be permanent.