Vitamin B12 deficiency targets around six percent of people aged below 60. However, this statistic rises even further with age, reaching 20 percent. It’s crucial for the condition to get picked up and treated “as soon as possible” because it can lead to “irreversible” damage, the NHS warns. Fortunately, being able to identify the symptoms could be the first step.
“It happens when the blood supply to the nerves is cut off,” the NHS notes. “This is usually when you sit or sleep on part of your body.”
Pins and needles usually only last for a few minutes and it tends to stop when you take weight off the affected body part. This allows the blood supply to return to your nerves.
While everyone can experience this “strange” sensation every now and then, the health service recommends to “see a GP” if you get pins and needles constantly.
Apart from paraesthesia, another area of your body that could be pointing to low levels of vitamin B12 is your mouth.
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“Although many of the symptoms improve with treatment, some problems caused by the condition can be irreversible if left untreated.
“The longer the condition goes untreated, the higher the chance of permanent damage.”
The good news is that vitamin B12 deficiency can be picked up based on your symptoms and through a blood test.
Between dietary sources, supplements and injections, there are various ways to top up your levels.