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Anemia - B12 deficiency - Symptom

Alternative Names

Macrocytic anemia

Symptoms:

Confusion or change in mental status in severe or advanced cases
Decreased sense of vibration
Diarrhea
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Numbness and tingling of hands and feet
Pallor
Shortness of breath
Sore mouth and tongue
Weakness

Signs and tests:

A physical exam may show problems with reflexes or positive Babinski reflex.

The following tests may be done:

Megaloblastic anemia - view of red blood cells

Reviewed last on: 11/23/2008
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Antony AC. Megaloblastic anemias. Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 170.

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