For the past few weeks, I've had a tingling sensation in my hands and feet. Sometimes they also feel numb, especially at night. I had a blood test done, and it showed low levels of vitamin B12. Could this be causing my symptoms? What treatments are available for vitamin B12 deficiency?
Below.
Folate:5 ng/mL
Hemoglobin:13.5 g/dL
Platelets:250 x10^9/L
Vitamin B12:150 pg/mL
White Blood Cells:5.0 x10^9/L
Oliver, a 55-year-old male, reports a tingling sensation and occasional numbness in his hands and feet, especially at night. His blood test results show low levels of vitamin B12.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency (90%) - Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause neurological symptoms such as tingling and numbness in the hands and feet.
Peripheral Neuropathy (10%) - This condition can also cause similar symptoms but is less likely given the blood test results.
The most likely diagnosis for your symptoms is Vitamin B12 deficiency. This condition occurs when your body doesn't have enough vitamin B12, which is essential for nerve function and the production of red blood cells. Your blood test shows a vitamin B12 level of 150 pg/mL, which is below the normal range (200-900 pg/mL). This deficiency can lead to neurological symptoms like tingling and numbness in the hands and feet. Peripheral neuropathy is another possible but less likely diagnosis. It involves damage to the peripheral nerves and can cause similar symptoms. However, given your low vitamin B12 levels, this is less likely the primary cause. Vitamin B12 deficiency can be caused by various factors, including poor dietary intake, certain medications, or conditions that affect absorption. It is a serious condition but is treatable. Treatment usually involves vitamin B12 supplements, either orally or through injections. You should expect to see improvement in your symptoms within a few weeks of starting treatment. Follow-up blood tests will be necessary to monitor your vitamin B12 levels and ensure they return to normal.
Your blood test shows a vitamin B12 level of 150 pg/mL, which is below the normal range (200-900 pg/mL). This indicates a deficiency. Other parameters like hemoglobin, white blood cells, and platelets are within normal ranges, suggesting no other immediate concerns.
This document is not intended as medical advice or a replacement for professional medical consultation. It provides general guidance for initial diagnosis and suggests questions to discuss with a healthcare provider. Always seek personalized medical advice from a qualified physician or healthcare provider. For questions contact us at hi@doctola.com