Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause a wave of symptoms, but like other conditions, they can be vague and hard to pinpoint.
For months, Angelica Cassidy was plagued with spasms in different parts of her body before she was eventually diagnosed with the condition.
The content creator recently shared her symptoms on TikTok in a bid to encourage others to get their health concerns investigated.
“A month ago I started having little muscle twitches and spasms in my arms, my butt and my legs," she told viewers.
B12 deficiency can impact daily activities
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“I thought I must not be drinking enough water. But it wouldn’t go away, so I had some blood work done and it turns out I’m really low in vitamin B12.
"So I’m now getting injections. If something feels off, maybe you should get blood work or something."
B12 deficiency causes spasms by damaging the nerves in the body, particularly the peripheral nerves, causing what is medically referred to as peripheral neuropathy.
Impaired nerve signals to the muscles can cause cramps and twitches, but patients often report additional symptoms.
Registered dietitian nutritionist at Consumer Health Digest, Shelley Balls, told GB News that the most common symptom of vitamin B12 deficiency is fatigue.
She shared: “There are many other reasons to feel fatigued though, so some other symptoms can include weakness, depression, pale skin, heart palpitations, tingly hands or feet, loss of appetite, weight loss and sometimes infertility."
The dietitian cautioned that in some cases these symptoms can take years to appear, putting the nervous system at risk.
"A vitamin B12 deficiency can damage your nervous system, so it's important to treat a deficiency as soon as possible if one is suspected," warned Shelley.
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Symptoms of a B12 deficiency can take years to appear
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“Symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency can take several years to appear as the body can store B12, but megaloblastic anaemia can be a sign you’ve been deficient for an extended time.
“Certain medications can increase the risk of a deficiency such as metformin used to manage diabetes, as it can reduce the absorption of vitamin B12.”
According to the NHS, vitamin B12 deficiency is checked through a blood test.
This test is typically carried out when patients have symptoms suggestive of B12 deficiency.
