Vitamin B12 deficiency: What to look out for in your hands

Vitamin B12 plays a very important part in the body, specifically when it comes to nerve function, blood cell production, and cell metabolism among others. A person who may be borderline deficient in vitamin B12 may sometimes feel something in their hands.

Express reports that sharp, tingling pain in the hands is an indicator of a lack of vitamin B12 in the body. Especially in a spot below the ring finger, where the first palm crease is located. Later on, it can spread to the outer edge of the hand from the wrist, and pain will be felt when the wrist is flexed backward.

Although a person may be borderline deficient in this vitamin, experts advise that those who are borderline vitamin B12 deficient are the same as those who do suffer from a vitamin B12 deficiency. If untreated or unremedied, then the symptoms can worsen over time.

Express also reports that a sign of vitamin B12 deficiency can also be found in the skin. If the skin is pale and has a yellowish tinge to it, then it may mean a lack of this vitamin. This is because B12 has a role in red blood cell production, and because the blood cells are too big to pass through the bone marrow, it results in a lack of red blood cells circulating in the body, thus the pale skin.

These cells would break down and result in an excess production of bilirubin, which is a red-brown colored substance released by the liver. A lot of this substance would cause the skin and the whites of the eyes to appear yellowish in color.

The other symptoms of a borderline vitamin B12 deficiency include migraine headaches, shortness of breath without chest pains, facial pain that usually happens on one side of the face at a time, eye twitch, and tingling along the back of both thighs. It is advised to consult a doctor right away in case of a vitamin B12 or folate deficiency because while some of the symptoms associated with this can be treated or improved, some other symptoms may be permanent.