Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms: The sign in the face could be a sign lacking B12

Vitamin B12 is vital for healthy function of the body. It’s responsible for the production of red blood cells and helps keep nerves healthy. People can gain the vitamin through diet, eating B12-rich foods. But because many foods containing B12 are from an animal origin, vegetarians and vegans may struggle to get it. People with certain conditions may also struggle to get enough B12 from diet, for example people with pernicious anaemia – a condition which affects the body’s absorption of B12 from foods.

One sign of vitamin B12 deficiency may appear in the face

If a person lacks B12, their red blood count will be low and their nerves can be affected.

When this happens, the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency can develop.

Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to problems with vision, memory, physical co-ordination and even heart failure if left untreated, so recognising the symptoms is very important.

One sign of vitamin B12 deficiency may appear in the face, according to Thyroid Patient Advocacy.

It explains facial pain can occur, usually on only one side of the face at a time.

“This pain varies so much that it would be difficult to describe all the possibilities,” it advises.

“It can be a dull pain in the cheek bone right underneath an eye.

“It can also be a sharp shooting pain across the forehead, sometimes coming downward from the scalp to the edge of the nose by the eye.

“This pain can be excruciating but is usually fleeting.”

Other vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms

Bupa lists six other symptoms of the condition to look out for:

• Feeling very tired
• Breathlessness even after little exercise
• Heart palpitations
• Headaches
• A reduced appetite
• A sore mouth and tongue

Treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency

If a person if not getting enough vitamin B12 from their diet they may be advised by a GP to eat more food fortified with vitamin B12 or to take regular supplements.

Vitamin B12 injections may also be recommended, and for those with pernicious anaemia, injections may be required for the rest of their lives.

Experts say adults aged 19 to 64 require around 1.5 micrograms (mg) a day of vitamin B12, and unless you have pernicious anaemia, you should be able to get this through your diet.

If vitamin B12 deficiency is triggered by not including enough B12 in the diet, Harvard Health Publishing, part of Harvard Medical School, offers the “A list of B12 foods” on its website. 

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