Vitamin B12 Deficiency In Teenagers Can Lead To Nervous System Damage, Aneamia In Later Life: Doctors

Just like vitamin D deficiency even low levels of B 12 are commonly seen in people of all age groups, especially teenagers. Insufficient vitamin B12 levels can cause various serious complications such as anaemia, low-grade inflammation, fatigue, tiredness, cognitive health problems, difficulty in walking, numbness, or tingling in the hands, legs, or feet. It is the need of the hour to monitor your vitamin B 12 levels from time to time by Vitamin B12 to check if it is in the normal and recommended range. Also, try to include foods such as mushrooms, chicken, eggs, almonds, and dairy products.

One has to maintain the recommended levels of B12 just like he/she maintains vitamin D, zinc, iron, or calcium levels in the body. Today, a majority of teenagers are deficient in B12 which can land them in serious trouble.

“Vitamin B 12 is essential to make red blood cells, nerves, DNA, and nerve functions. The signs and symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency are sensations like numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or legs, inability to walk, aneamia inflamed tongue, inflammation in the body, cognitive health problems, fatigue, irritability, poor appetite, low muscle tone, depression, vomiting, diarrhoea, hyperpigmentation, seizures, delayed growth, poor motor development, and tiredness. One can become low on vitamin B12 when the body does not absorb or store enough of the vitamin or one doesn’t get enough amount of it. B12 deficiency is one of the most neglected problems. Deficiency of vitamin B 12 increasing due to fads of diet, fast food intake of balance diet.” said Dr Sanjal Nagarkar, General Physician, Apollo Spectra Pune.

Dr Prerna Agarwal, Manager Technical Operation Apollo Diagnostic Pune Said, “Once you notice symptoms such as tingling and numbness in legs and feet, poor appetite, walking difficulty and impaired memory then consult the doctor without any delay. He/she will advise you to check your vitamin B12 levels. Take a B12 test to check if you have enough of this vitamin. Then, you will be suggested to take B12 in the form of a supplement or injection. Your treating doctor will direct you regarding how much and how to take it. Dairy products, almonds, salmon, chicken, eggs, mackerel, tofu, mushrooms, and tuna have enough vitamin B12 and can be opted for after consulting an expert. High levels of B12 levels can also be harmful to health. So, follow the instructions given by the doctor. Timely detection of B12 deficiency and prompt treatment can help teenagers to avoid severe complications like neurologic issues and blood disease by improving/her growth and development.”