Vitamin B12 plays a key role in making red blood cells and keeping nerves healthy. Without enough of it, the body struggles to carry oxygen efficiently. Nerves also begin to suffer.
According to the National Institute of Health reports that adults need around 2.4 micrograms of vitamin B12 per day. Yet several Indian studies show that deficiency is common, especially among vegetarians and older adults.
We spoke to Dr Sahil Kapoor, Senior Consultant, Family Medicine & Wellness Expert, Aakash Healthcare, who explains the distinction clearly, “Constant exhaustion is usually ignored as a normal stress experience yet it is important to know the difference between low vitamin B12 status and burnout manifested early in life since the causes of the two and the remedies are not similar at all. Deficiency of vitamin B12 is a medical disorder, which has impact on the production of red blood cells and health of nerves. At low levels, people can have persistent fatigue, weakness, dyspnea, pallor or yellowish skin, tingling or numbness in the extremities, memory loss and even changes in mood, including irritability or slight depression. Balance problems and cognitive slowing can be experienced in more advanced cases. These symptoms can be persistent and are not determined by rest and can be slowly aggravated with time. Diagnosis is easily proved by blood tests and timely supplementation is often followed by a noticeable improvement.”
That last line matters. Symptoms of B12 deficiency do not simply disappear after sleep. They often stay, and slowly worsen.
The National Institutes of Health also notes that prolonged deficiency can lead to irreversible nerve damage if untreated. That makes early testing critical.
