Vitamin B12 deficiency: Having cold extremities could be a sign of deficiency

Many vitamins help us to function, some are already found in our bodies, and others have to be sourced externally through foods or supplements. Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin our bodies need for processes such as DNA synthesis, energy production and the central nervous system, according to Healthline.

Cold hands and feet and vitamin B12 deficiency

If you always have cold hands and feet, you may want to consult your doctor as you may have a vitamin B12 deficiency. But how do cold extremities suggest a vitamin B12 deficiency?

Cold hands and feet mean that your red blood cell count is decreasing and cannot oxygenate your blood enough.

According to WebMD:

Without enough B12, you might not have enough healthy red blood cells to move oxygen around your body.

That can leave you shivering and cold, especially in your hands and feet.

If you have a low red blood cell count, there’s a high chance that you are anaemic.

Cold hands and feet can cause nerve damage

If you do constantly have cold hands and feet, you should be careful as over time, it can cause nerve damage. Due to the coldness, you may also experience a tingling sensation or pins and needles in your hands and feet.

Nerve damage can be a result of an insufficient production of myelin, which is the substance that forms around the nerves in the brain and spinal cord.

Read more:

⋙ Vitamin D deficiency: Your lower back could be giving you a sign

⋙ Here’s Why You Need Vitamin E In Your Skincare Routine

⋙ How to check if you are vitamin D deficient

Cold hands and feet and other health issues

Cold hands and feet aren’t always connected to a vitamin B12 deficiency and can be related to other health issues such as diabetes and obesity. This is one reason why a vitamin B12 deficiency isn’t a diagnosable condition.