Three unpleasant symptoms in the mouth could indicate you have a potentially serious vitamin deficiency. You might not be aware that mouth ulcers and other problems could signal you are short of vitamin B12.
Vitamin B12 is present in numerous animal products including meat, eggs and dairy.
A shortage can result in a form of anaemia along with more serious complications such as cardiac issues, temporary infertility and nervous system disorders.
Typical symptoms of the deficiency include tiredness and muscle weakness. But symptoms can also manifest on the tongue.
According to WebMD, people with a B12 deficiency might find they develop ulcers on their tongue.
It states: “You may get these ulcers on your gums or tongue. The sores usually clear up on their own, but it helps to avoid ingredients that might be irritating or painful, like vinegar, citrus, and hot spices like chilli powder.
“Some over-the-counter medicines could soothe your pain.”
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The health organisation also notes that a smooth or painful tongue serves as a warning sign of a B12 deficiency.
“Your doctor might call it atrophic glossitis,” it explains. “Tiny bumps on your tongue called papillae start to waste away.
“That makes it look and feel kind of smooth and glossy. Infections, medication, and other conditions can cause it, too.
“But if not enough B12 or other nutrients is to blame, your tongue also may be sore.”
Meanwhile, Harvard Health identifies a “swollen, inflamed” tongue as an “overlooked” symptom. Its website says: “Vitamin B12 deficiency can be slow to develop, causing symptoms to appear gradually and intensify over time. It can also come on relatively quickly.
“Given the array of symptoms a vitamin B12 deficiency can cause, the condition can be overlooked or confused with something else.”
Other indications of a B12 deficiency include:
- A lack of energy
- Pins and needles (paraesthesia)
- Muscle weakness
- Impaired vision
- Psychological issues, which may encompass depression and confusion
- Difficulties with memory, understanding and judgement
- The NHS recommends that adults aged between 19 and 64 need approximately 1.5 micrograms of vitamin B12 daily. Good sources of B12 are:
- Meat
- Fish
- Milk
- Cheese
- Eggs
- Certain fortified breakfast cereals
- Marmite
B12 supplements can also be obtained from chemists, or a GP might prescribe a series of injections if you’re unable to properly absorb B12 independently.