Vitamin B12 is a super important nutrient that helps keep your body running smoothly. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), it keeps your brain healthy, helps make red blood cells, and keeps your nerves working well. But if you don’t get enough vitamin B12, you can start to have some health problems that really affect your daily life. Here are six common symptoms of not having enough vitamin B12.

Feeling Really Tired All the Time

One of the first signs of not having enough vitamin B12 is feeling really tired all the time. This kind of tiredness isn’t just about needing a bit more sleep—it’s a feeling of being completely drained that doesn’t go away, even after you sleep well. Vitamin B12 helps make red blood cells, which carry oxygen to all parts of your body. Without enough vitamin B12, your body can’t make enough red blood cells, so your organs and muscles don’t get the oxygen they need. This makes you feel super tired all the time.

Muscle Weakness

Another sign of a vitamin B12 deficiency is weak muscles. This happens because your muscles aren’t getting the right signals from your nervous system, which needs vitamin B12 to work properly. If your nerves don’t have enough B12, even simple tasks—like carrying groceries or climbing stairs—can suddenly feel much harder than usual.

Tingling or Numbness in Your Hands and Feet

Vitamin B12 is really important for keeping your nerves healthy, so it makes sense that not having enough can lead to nerve problems. One prominent indication is a tingling or numb feeling, especially in your hands and feet. This happens because vitamin B12 helps make myelin, which is a protective coating around your nerves. Without enough B12, the nerves can’t send signals properly, which leads to that “pins and needles” feeling in your fingers or toes.

Trouble Remembering Things Might

If you’re struggling to remember things that you usually wouldn’t forget, low vitamin B12 could be the reason. Not having enough B12 can affect your brain, making you forgetful or even confused. Vitamin B12 keeps your brain cells healthy, and without it, your memory and thinking skills can start to get worse. If you’re noticing memory problems, it might be vital to ask your doctor to check your vitamin B12 levels.

Pale or Yellowish Skin

If your skin looks paler than usual or has a slight yellow color, it could be because of low vitamin B12. When your body doesn’t have enough B12, it can’t make enough red blood cells, which can lead to anemia. Anemia can make your skin look pale. Also, when red blood cells break down, they release something called bilirubin, which can make your skin look yellow. This is called jaundice.

Mood Swings and Feeling Depressed

Vitamin B12 also helps with mood, so not having enough can make you feel down or anxious. This is because vitamin B12 helps your body make chemicals like serotonin that keep your mood balanced. If you’re feeling more down or anxious than usual, low vitamin B12 might be part of the problem. Fixing the deficiency could help you feel better.

What to Do If You Think You Might Have a Vitamin B12 Deficiency

If you think you might have low vitamin B12, it’s important to see your doctor. They can do a simple blood test to check your levels. If you are low, it can usually be fixed with diet changes or supplements. Foods like meat, dairy products, and fortified cereals have a lot of vitamin B12. If your body has trouble absorbing B12, your doctor might suggest getting B12 shots.

The Bottom Line on Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Vitamin B12 is super important for your health—from keeping you energized to making sure your nerves and brain work properly. Symptoms like extreme tiredness, muscle weakness, tingling feelings, memory problems, pale skin, and mood changes can really affect your life. The good news is that once it’s diagnosed, a vitamin B12 deficiency is usually easy to treat. So, if you notice any of these symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor to see if low vitamin B12 could be the reason.