Should You See a Doctor?

Consider speaking with a healthcare professional if you experience persistent:

• Fatigue
• Numbness or tingling
• Balance problems
• Memory or concentration changes
• Mouth or tongue soreness
• Unexplained weakness
• Vision changes
• Other unexplained symptoms

Early diagnosis can be particularly important when neurological symptoms are present.

The Bottom Line

Vitamin B12 is essential for healthy nerves, red blood cell production, brain function, and many other processes in the body.

A deficiency can develop gradually, and its symptoms may be easy to overlook.

Persistent fatigue, numbness, balance problems, memory changes, tongue soreness, and other symptoms may occur with vitamin B12 deficiency, but none of these signs alone proves that a person is deficient.

The best way to determine whether vitamin B12 is actually low is through appropriate medical evaluation and, when necessary, blood testing.

If a deficiency is confirmed, treatment is usually effective, especially when it is identified early.

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