A new study has shed light on the effects of vitamin B12 deficiency, highlighting its impact on both physical and neurological health. The research, published in the peer-reviewed journal Cureus, found that men were slightly more affected, making up 58.3% of the study’s participants in India.
The two-year study was carried out at K. J. Somaiya Medical College and Hospital, Mumbai and included 180 patients aged 18 to 70 years. These patients had low haemoglobin levels (below 13 g/dL for men and 12 g/dL for women) and vitamin B12 levels below 250 pg/mL.
Doctors collected detailed information about the patients, including their health history and blood test results. Each patient was given six vitamin B12 injections every week for six weeks. The researchers monitored blood health improvements by regularly checking key markers like haemoglobin levels and red blood cell size.
The results were analysed to understand how well patients responded to the treatment and whether there was a clear link between the severity of anaemia and vitamin B12 levels.
Common health issues among the participants included high blood pressure (33.3%) and diabetes (25%). However, the most frequently reported symptom was persistent fatigue, affecting 66.7% of the patients.
Neurological problems, such as tingling and numbness in the hands and feet, were also common, reported by over half of the participants.
Blood tests revealed a condition called macrocytic anaemia, where red blood cells are larger than normal. On average, participants had low haemoglobin levels of 9.7 g/dL and an elevated mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of 104.7 fL, both indicators of poor blood health.
After six weeks of vitamin B12 supplementation, significant improvements were observed. Haemoglobin levels increased to 12.6 g/dL, MCV dropped to 91.3 fL, and reticulocyte count—a marker of new red blood cell production—rose to 2.1%.
The study also found a strong link between higher haemoglobin levels and improved vitamin B12 levels in the blood.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is known to cause a range of health problems, from tiredness and weakness to more severe nerve damage. This study confirms that proper vitamin B12 supplementation can effectively reverse these issues, improving both blood health and neurological symptoms.
Researchers recommend routine screening for vitamin B12 deficiency, especially among older adults and vegetarians, who are at higher risk due to dietary restrictions. Early detection and supplementation can prevent long-term complications.