Signs You’re Desperately Low On B-12 - Page 12

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Your body needs B-12 to carry oxygen to your organs. Without enough of it, you can suffer a slew of health problems. Think about it; if this vitamin brings oxygens to all of your organs then it’s an important part of every single process your body needs to complete every day. You may have heard of older women receiving regular B-12 shots and thought it was just a trend or something that only people in very poor health need. But a B-12 deficiency results in symptoms that can interrupt your work, your relationships, and your overall happiness. People usually feel this deficiency more intensely than any other. Unfortunately, people often misdiagnose themselves and believe they are just depressed or need more sleep, leaving the problem untreated. Here are 15 signs you’re desperately low on B-12.

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No amount of sleep leaves you feeling rested

You can’t remember the last time you weren’t tired. You get 10 hours of sleep a night and still wake up feeling tired. There have been times you’ve felt so tired that you didn’t know how you would get out of bed.

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Your vision is blurry

B-12 plays a role in your vision. Combine that with the fact that it affects your energy levels, and a B-12 deficiency can have you seeing squiggly lines.

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Your afternoon slump is undeniable

Your coworkers complain of an afternoon slump, but they go for a walk, drink some coffee and get over it. You actually feel like you have narcolepsy, and fall asleep—against your will—at your desk.

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Coffee doesn’t help you wake up

Speaking of coffee, caffeine doesn’t give you energy. You’ve downed two energy drinks at your extreme energy lows, and not received any boost.

You’ve become depressed

You’re experiencing a sudden and severe surge in depression. You don’t have a history of depression, or you’ve never experienced it this strongly before.

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You’ve become anxious

You’re also experiencing a sudden surge in anxiety. You often feel like you’re having an out of body experience, or like something very bad is about to happen. B-12 can affect your nervous system, which is an important part of keeping you calm.

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Your body feels heavy

This is related to issues of fatigue. Your body feels so weak that carrying around your flesh and bones feels like too much work.

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A tiny bit of exercise makes you dizzy

The smallest bit of exercise will make you feel dizzy, week, and panicked. You need extra oxygen pumping through your body to exercise, and since you’re not getting your minimum, exercise can be very trying on your body.

You have more or new headaches

B-12 deficiencies can result in headaches in people who don’t have a history of headaches or new migraines.

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You’re irritable

If you’re usually patient and understanding, and now every innocent little mistake your partner makes causes you to want to scream, you might have a deficiency.

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You’re a vegan

This isn’t a symptom so much as it is a cause. Since B-12 is primarily found in animal-based foods, vegans are generally low on it.

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Confusion

People in their 20s, 30s, and 40s who are in good health should not be struggling to remember things. If you find yourself forgetting why you walked into a room every day, you might have a deficiency.

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Impaired thinking

If you also find yourself working incredibly slow, having to re-read something you’ve already read, or fix a lot of errors in your writing, you may have a deficiency.

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You drink a lot

Alcohol makes it very hard for your body to absorb B12, and regular drinkers are often low on it.