Anyone working hard on obtaining their dream can tell you it takes a lot of hard work, determination, and stamina to succeed. This is why today I decided to open up and talk to you about something I have lived with for a long time. I have a B12 and iron deficiency. Before I was FINALLY diagnosed, there were so many days when I could barely find the energy to get out of bed. It seemed like a never-ending battle of wits with my own brain and body to function normally! I have learned not only to deal with it but also how to Live, Work & THRIVE With Vitamin Deficiencies
Disclaimer: I use affiliate links here, meaning that if you purchase anything through my affiliate links, I receive a commission at no additional cost! My views and opinions are never swayed because of this! I only recommend products and services I love
Some Facts About Vitamin B12 & Iron Deficiencies.
The symptoms tend to be very similar between the two of them, leaving diagnosis up to blood tests. B12 deficiency symptoms are things such as changes in personality/depression, irritability, abnormal sensations ( it’s pretty common to have my limbs start to tingle and feel numb ), psychosis, changes in reflex, decreased taste, poor muscle function, reduced heart functions, and decreased fertility.
Some symptoms of an iron deficiency are as follows: fatigue, dizziness, pallor ( abnormally pale skin ), hair loss, twitching, irritability, weakness, pica (Persistent craving and compulsive eating of nonfood substances ), brittle or grooved nails, and restless leg syndrome. As you can see, there are several symptoms of these deficiencies that can be pretty dangerous. For example, for me personally, I am and have always been very prone to dizziness and fainting, losing the feeling in my legs and arms can be very common at times as well. The Causes of these deficiencies can be so small. The leading cause I have found is purely diet, medicine, and heredity. thankfully 2 of those 3 can be fixed. Having an iron and B12 deficiency can be even more dangerous for a child than for an adult. If it’s not caught in time it can lead to anemia. As far as I know, these blood tests are not common practices for kids, and these symptoms are so common for so many other illnesses.
What I Do
I think even after years of stubbornness, and not wanting to take vitamins every day. The simple and plain “I forgot, OH WELL” mentality, I am coping pretty well with my deficiencies. I take a multivitamin, a B12 supplement, and an iron supplement every day. What happens if I forget to take my vitamins for a day or two!? You can count on pretty much zero productivity from me. Vitamin deficiency is NO JOKE. It’s difficult to concentrate. My depression kicks in pretty strong and I also tend to sleep a lot more than usual. When this happens It will usually take something bothering me a LOT to snap me out of it and remind me.
Sometimes the simplest things can be the hardest battles to fight. Are you fighting any battles!? Let me know in the comments below. I would love to hear from you. If you have any tips or recommendations for helping with B12 and  Iron deficiencies as well. Let’s share our knowledge with each other.
If you are concerned about any of these symptoms. I highly recommend checking out these vegan/cruelty-free supplements from Herbaland. They taste great and have helped me so so much.
I can totally relate to this. I have celiacs, which tends to lead to B12 deficiency. I had it happen to me once for about a month before I went to the doctor and realized what had happened. I felt so exhausted it was unbelievable. I started incorporating higher B12 foods every day, especially eggs, yogurt, and salmon. Made a world of difference! I’m glad to hear you’ve also managed to up your levels of both iron and B12.
It’s insane the importance of these vitamins in our systems, yet we are never taught about them. Just be careful not to eat too many of those B12 sources as they themselves in excess are not healthy in other ways as well!
This is how I feel when I don’t take my iron supplement. It took a while for an actual diagnosis of anemia, but I can see the benefits of taking the supplements. I hadn’t heard much about B12 deficiency. Thanks for the information!
Isn’t it amazing how much a deficiency can wreak havoc on our systems? Thanks for sharing this- I will for sure be looking into this 🙂
Rae Mindful Rambles
This was very informative. I had no idea of the symptoms of possible deficiencies of iron and B12. Thank you for highlighting this.
Jenn recently posted…The Homeschool Nook Link Up Party #69
I’m so glad I could help 😀 Thank you for reading!
I love taking b12 i always have a better day!
This was a very interesting read. I’m glad you are handling your deficiencies better now and taking care of yourself. I have always felt like there was something wrong with me. I thought it may have been anemia but apparently not. My next move is to check my vitamin levels and see if I’m deficient in anything.
I’m glad you are going to look into it! they say that over 90% of the world’s population is deficient now. We have leeched the earth so much, that she no longer provides many nutrients she used to. I hope you find the answers you need! Don’t stop till your gut instinct is satisfied.
this is so informative! I really need to up by B12 and Iron supplements …. meaning start taking them!
HAHA! I know what you mean. I hate pills. I have been on them all my life at one point or another. But you can’t get a better feeling than when your vitamin and mineral counts are normal. It’s a drastic change for me, that’s for sure!
I have been taking Vitamin B for a while now and it definitely helps. I am surprised I didn’t find it sooner.
With Love Rochelle
I was surprised too! I had no idea about any of it, Believe it or not, it wasn’t my Dr. that helped me find out, but more my psychiatrist at the time. I think Dr.’s feel forced to peddle prescription rather than true solutions most times.
I find it disturbing how many doctors will precribe meds instead of getting vitamin levels checked first. Glad you found a way to heal naturally!
I couldn’t agree more! We have become a heavily medicated society. It is much easier to place a bandage on something, rather than digging for the underlying cause! Thanks so much for reading 😀
Wow – what strikes me about this issue is how easy it would be to be diagnosed with a million different conditions that share these symptoms without ever realizing that it was as simple an explanation as a vitamin deficiency. So scary – glad you figured it out!
Woah! This was very shocking to read! You know what they say! “Learn something new everyday”
EXACTLY!! Glad I could impart some new knowledge 😀 Thanks for reading 😀
I had no idea! Thank you for the information.
This post is so important! I think so many people are living with deficiencies and allergies that they don’t even know about that get easily misdiagnosed as other things. Great post 🙂
http://www.castawaycouple.com
I couldn’t agree more! B12 deficiencies have actually been linked to several mental illnesses as well. Including Alzheimer’s.
Wow! I had no idea that Iron and restless legs were related! I may need more iron.
Ohhh Please do! Just remember, if you feel things aren’t working in your body correctly. You have every right to ask your Dr. for bloodwork to check your vitamin levels. That’s what I had to do.
Looks like eggs have most of the vitamins and minerals we need. But is it safe to take eggs everyday?
Eggs are actually not that great. The human body makes its own cholesterol. So adding eggs to a daily diet would be adding way too much cholesterol to a person’s diet.
Very informative post. I need to up my iron and B12 supplements. Thanks for sharing!