Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms: Signs in your mouth you may be lacking the vital vitamin

There are three reasons as to how a vitamin B12 deficiency can develop – explored later on. If you suspect you may be deficient in the nutrient, take a look inside your mouth.

For people who are suffering from this nutritional deficiency, there can be two indicators to look out for.

Opening your mouth, positioned in front of a mirror or trusted friend, is your tongue red? And does it feel sore?

A red and sore tongue is known as glossitis, and it’s a signal of inflammation – as pointed out by Medical News Today.

In addition to swelling, the surface texture of the tongue may change from bumpy to smooth.

The naturally occurring small bumps found on the surface of the tongue shrink if you have glossitis.

This shrinkage leaves a shiny, red surface. Such symptoms can be an indication of pernicious anaemia.

Pernicious anaemia is one of the reasons as to how a vitamin B12 deficiency occurs.

The NHS stated that pernicious anaemia is the most common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency in the UK.

It’s an autoimmune condition whereby the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy stomach cells.

Specifically, the immune system targets stomach cells responsible for making a protein called intrinsic factor.

Typically, in a person without this underlying condition, intrinsic factor binds with vitamin B12 (from the foods you eat).

Then, when the combined intrinsic factor and vitamin B12 travel through the gut, the body is able to reabsorb the vitamin.

However, when this process is disturbed, no matter how much food you eat containing B12, the vitamin will be flushed down the toilet.

The exact cause of pernicious anaemia is unknown, but it’s more common in women around 60 years old.

Another way somebody could miss out on vitamin B12 is by consuming a vegan diet.

Vitamin B12 is found in animal products, such as eggs, milk, fish and meat.

Thus, if someone following a vegan diet doesn’t consume foods fortified with B12, they’re going to become deficient in the nutrient.

Other signs of a vitamin B12 deficiency include a pale, yellow tinge to the skin of mouth ulcers.

In addition, one may notice pins and needles, disturbed vision, irritability and depression.

Another way you could possibly develop a vitamin B12 deficiency is by taking certain medications.

For example, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) – a medicine used to treat indigestion – can worsen a vitamin B12 deficiency.

This is because PPI inhibits the production of stomach acid, which is needed to release vitamin B12 from the foods you eat.

If you’re on PPI medication, your doctor will most likely monitor your levels of vitamin B12.

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