Vitamin B12 deficiency can manifest through warning signs in the feet, including numbness, tingling, and difficulty walking. The condition, if left untreated, may lead to permanent nerve damage.
Vitamin B12 is essential for red blood cell production, cell growth, gastrointestinal function, and neurological health. When levels are low, nerve function is impaired, causing symptoms such as paraesthesia—a pins-and-needles sensation in the hands and feet.
Dr Sarah Baker explains: “Vitamin B12 is needed to help neurons function. When B12 levels are too low, neurons can’t effectively function, which leads to symptoms like numbness or tingling in the hands and feet.”
Balance and walking difficulties can also arise. A case study of an 18-year-old patient with difficulty walking revealed that her shoes slipped off without her noticing, a symptom that improved after B12 supplementation.
The NHS advises seeing a GP if symptoms occur, as early treatment can prevent irreversible neurological damage. “The longer the condition goes untreated, the higher the chance of permanent damage,” the health body warns.
