'I spotted the signs of my vitamin B12 deficiency three months before I was diagnosed - I was petrified'
Vitamin B12 deficiency is a prevalent condition in the UK
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Vitamin B12 deficiency is a prevalent condition in the UK, particularly affecting two main groups: older people and those following a vegan diet.
The condition presents a significant diagnostic challenge, as there is no single reliable test to confirm it.
This was the case for one Briton who experienced months of severe health complications before finally receiving a diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency, despite making multiple visits to her GP.
Taking to TikTok, Katie says she experienced a range of debilitating symptoms, from heart problems to depression, whilst struggling to get answers from medical professionals.
Eggs are a good source of vitamin B12
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“Let me tell you about the worst three months of my entire month,” she told viewers.
“My symptoms started in September, and my very first symptom was heart issues, my heart would just start fluttering and beating abnormally. It would start racing like crazy.
“Quite a few of those times I would have to race to the nearest window or door just to try to get some air to calm myself down.
“Because it was just myself and my daughter here, I was petrified, I thought I was going to faint.”
As Katie's condition progressed, she developed severe ear problems.
"I've had times where I felt like both ears were completely blocked," she said. "Then there would be crackling noises, and along with any ear issues comes dizziness as well."
Her symptoms expanded to include debilitating body aches.
"It was almost as if I had the flu but without having any cold symptoms," she noted. "I felt so weak and shaky and couldn't get out of bed most days."
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Katie experienced issues in her ears
TIKTOK
Depression also followed, with Katie revealing: "I have spent days just crying my eyes out in bed."
Despite multiple GP visits, her condition was initially misdiagnosed as a urinary tract infection.
"I went back and forth to the GP so many times just for them to turn around and tell me you're just making your symptoms worse with your anxiety," she said.
Medical professionals tested her for anaemia, diabetes, and thyroid issues before finally discovering the root cause.
"On the fourth blood test, I said please can you check for any sort of vitamin deficiencies," Katie explained, which finally revealed the B12 deficiency.
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