Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms: A sign in your eyes could be indicator of the condition

Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms can lead to serious complications if left untreated, so it’s important to recognise all the signs.

The vitamin is important for many processes within the body. If in short supply, the body won’t make as many red blood cells and will be abnormally large. The red blood cells also won’t last for as long as they should.

If the body lacks red blood cells, tissues and organs in the body won’t get enough oxygen and this can trigger symptoms of anaemia.

Anaemia can lead to heart and lung problems as the heart struggles to pump oxygen to vital organs. One sign of vitamin B12 deficiency to look out for is in a person’s eyes.

According to a study in Neurology India, eye twitching is linked to vitamin B12 deficiency.

Similarly, magnesium plays an essential role in the functioning of cells, tissues and organs throughout the body, so eyelid spasms may also be linked to magnesium deficiency.

The study did mention that further research would need to be carried out to be sure this is a symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency.

Most people get eye twitches because of stress and anxiety, tireless and exhaustion, drinking caffeine or alcohol, or some medicines.

It’s a common problem, and may come and go but will normally stop in a few days or weeks, according to the NHS.

Another way of recognising vitamin B12 deficiency is to look at the colour of your tongue.

Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause glossitis, which can cause the tongue to turn very red.

Alongside a red tongue, glossitis can make your tongue feel painful, smooth and shiny.

Other symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include feeling very tired, breathlessness even after little exercise, heart palpitations, headaches, and a reduced appetite.

So how can you avoid a vitamin B12 deficiency happening in the first place?

The body doesn’t make vitamin B12 but the best way to get it is from a balanced diet.