Vitamin B12 deficiency has many faces, but understanding the signals is important to prevent long-term damage to the body.< br>
Vitamin B12 plays an important role in maintaining the central nervous system. A nutrient deficiency can have a direct effect on the spinal cord, brain, and optic nerve, causing an onslaught of symptoms. Sometimes this can be manifested by dysfunction of the sense of smell or difficulty walking. One case study demonstrates how quickly some of these complications occur after low B12 levels.
Over time, damage to the peripheral nervous system caused by low B12 levels can lead to movement problems.
“Tingling or numbness in the feet and limbs can make it difficult to walk without support. Patients may also experience reduced muscle strength and reflexes as the muscles do not respond to stimuli,” neurologist Alexandra Alekhina tells MedicForum, a neurologist.
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The literature describes an “atypical” case of B12 deficiency in an elderly patient.
A 61-year-old man was admitted to the emergency room with walking problems, weakness, and a long history of dyspepsia that had worsened over the past four weeks. The patient had been suffering from progressive cognitive impairment for four weeks; however, most of his reflexes are absent during examination.
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“All blood tests were normal, with the exception of the hemoglobin concentration, which showed mild anemia,” says in his report. Further examination before the surge due to approaching anemia showed a severe decrease in serum vitamin B12 levels.
Fortunately, the patient's symptoms improved after intramuscular injection of cobalamin.
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