Vitamin B12 deficiency: Warning sign that may show up when you wake up in the morning

Vitamins and minerals play a significant role in keeping us on our toes, maintaining our energy levels and cutting down our risk of various diseases. It helps with several bodily functions like helping us fight infections, making our bones strong, helping heal wounds quickly and regulating our hormones.

That said, lack of any essential vitamin or mineral can disrupt the smooth functioning of our body and cause several health problems.

Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that has many essential functions in your body. It is a water-soluble vitamin, which helps keep your nerves healthy and also facilitates the production of DNA and red blood cells.

That said, lack or insufficiency of vitamin B12 can lead to several complications and a variety of symptoms.

According to a survey data, published in the British Journal of Nursing, involving approximately one thousand patients, those diagnosed with vitamin B12 deficiency reported a wide range of symptoms, of which fatigue was the most common of all.

It was found that 96 percent of respondents reported "unusual fatigue".

As per experts, fatigue is one of the primary signs of B12 deficiency, which could be more prevalent in the morning when you wake up.

The survey also found that about 30 percent of the respondents reported loss of hair, mouth ulcers or blurred vision, while 34 percent said that they experienced glossitis, a problem in which the tongue is swollen and inflamed.

According to the United Kingdom's National Health Services (NHS), vitamin B12 deficiency can develop gradually, but may worsen if not treated on time. Some of the most common symptoms besides fatigue include:

- Fatigue or extreme tiredness

- Breathlessness

- Headaches and dizziness

- Pale skin

- Heart palpitations

- Gastrointestinal issues

- Difficulty in concentrating

Usually low levels of B-12 can suggest anemia, an internal parasite, and hyperthyroidism.

The best way to diagnose vitamin B12 deficiency is through a blood or a urine test. Depending on your symptoms, your healthcare provider will recommend a thorough blood examination and will check whether you have a lower level of haemoglobin than normal and if your red blood cells are larger than normal.

Vitamin B12 cannot be made naturally in the body, which is why you must get enough of it from the foods you eat.

Some of the best sources of vitamin B12 include beef, pork, ham, poultry, lamb, shellfish, crab, dairy products like milk, cheese and yogurt and eggs. Fortified cereals can also provide you with sufficient levels of this vital nutrient.

Those who are vegans and vegetarians can consult their doctors and nutritionists and discuss proper supplementation alternatives for the same.