Vitamin B12 deficiency in women often shows up as vague, easy-to-dismiss symptoms such as tiredness, low mood or tingling hands and feet, rather than anything obviously wrong. In this article, we’ll cover the signs of B12 deficiency in women that often go unnoticed, whether it can affect your hair, how it’s treated, and where to get vitamin B12 injections in Healing or vitamin B12 treatment in Laceby.
What Are the Signs of Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Women?
B12 deficiency in women symptoms can develop gradually and may look similar to everyday tiredness or stress, making them easy to overlook. Pernicious anaemia, the most common cause of B12 deficiency in the UK, is also more common in women around 60, which can increase the risk.
Common B12 Deficiency Symptoms in Women
According to NHS guidance, common symptoms include:
- Persistent tiredness or weakness
- Headaches
- Palpitations
- Breathlessness
- A sore or red tongue
- Indigestion or loss of appetite
- Problems with memory or concentration
Neurological Signs That Are Often Overlooked
Signs of vitamin B12 deficiency in women can also affect the nervous system. These symptoms may be less obvious at first, particularly when they develop gradually. They include:
- Numbness or pins and needles in the hands and feet
- Problems with balance or coordination
- Low mood or anxiety
- Muscle weakness
What Causes B12 Deficiency in Women?
Vitamin B12 deficiency can happen for several reasons. It may be caused by not getting enough B12 from the diet, problems absorbing B12 from food, or conditions such as pernicious anaemia. Some medicines can also affect B12 levels.
People following a vegan diet may be more likely to develop B12 deficiency because vitamin B12 is mainly found naturally in animal products. However, diet is not the only possible cause, so ongoing symptoms should not automatically be attributed to what you eat.
Does B12 Deficiency Cause Hair Loss?
The evidence linking B12 deficiency to hair loss is limited and mixed. Hair loss is not listed as a core symptom of B12 deficiency, although a genuine deficiency may contribute to hair thinning indirectly. This can happen when anaemia reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the hair follicles. When B12 deficiency does contribute to hair loss, it is usually linked to diffuse thinning across the scalp rather than a specific bald patch. If you are concerned about hair loss alongside other symptoms, a blood test is a more reliable next step than assuming B12 is the cause.
What Is the Treatment for B12 Deficiency?
B12 deficiency treatment usually starts with a blood test to confirm the deficiency and identify the likely cause. Depending on the result, the treatment may involve:
- Tablets, for mild, diet-related deficiency.
- Injections, which work faster and suit people with absorption problems such as pernicious anaemia.
Get Vitamin B12 Advice and Treatment at Periville Pharmacy
If you have been feeling low on energy, foggy, or simply not quite yourself, Periville Pharmacy offers vitamin B12 treatment in Laceby and vitamin B12 injection in Healing, with assessment, advice, and treatment from trained pharmacists at either of our two branches in Grimsby. Book your Vitamin B12 consultation today and speak to our team about your symptoms and whether B12 treatment may be suitable for you. We are here to answer your questions and make the process as straightforward as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the signs of B12 deficiency in women?
Common signs include persistent tiredness, headaches, palpitations, breathlessness, a sore or red tongue, and problems with memory or concentration, along with neurological signs such as numbness, pins and needles, or low mood.
Why are B12 deficiency symptoms easy to miss in women?
Symptoms develop gradually and often overlap with everyday tiredness, stress or ageing, which means they can easily be dismissed or mistaken for something else rather than investigated with a blood test.
Does B12 deficiency cause hair loss?
The evidence is limited and mixed. B12 deficiency isn’t a core listed symptom, but it may contribute to diffuse hair thinning indirectly, mainly through its effect on red blood cells and oxygen supply to the scalp.
What is the treatment for B12 deficiency?
Treatment is usually tablets for mild, diet-related deficiency, or injections for people with absorption problems such as pernicious anaemia, following a blood test to confirm the diagnosis.
Do I need a blood test before B12 treatment?
Yes, a blood test is generally recommended to confirm a deficiency before starting treatment, so you get the most appropriate option for your situation.
Where can I get a vitamin B12 injection in Healing?
Periville Pharmacy offers vitamin B12 injections and treatment for patients in Healing, Laceby and the surrounding Grimsby area, at either of its two branches.