Vitamin B12 keeps your nerves, blood and brain working. Because the body stores it, a shortfall builds up slowly — so the symptoms are vague and easy to blame on stress or a busy life.
It's particularly common in India because B12 comes mainly from animal foods, so vegetarian and vegan diets run low. Absorption problems, increasing age, and long-term use of metformin or acid-suppressing medicines add to the risk.
They often appear together and worsen gradually.
Low energy and weakness that doesn't improve with rest.
Pins-and-needles in the hands or feet — an important nerve sign.
A smooth, sore tongue or recurrent ulcers.
Poor concentration, forgetfulness or feeling mentally slow.
When deficiency also causes anaemia.
Low mood or irritability that can accompany deficiency.
Either you're taking in too little, or you're not absorbing it.
The single most common reason in India — B12 is scarce in plant foods.
Stomach and gut conditions reduce uptake; pernicious anaemia is one example.
Used for diabetes, it can lower B12 over years — worth checking.
Prolonged use can reduce B12 absorption.
Absorption naturally declines with age.
Surgery affecting the stomach or small intestine impairs uptake.
Nerve symptoms are the ones not to sit on.
A single B12 number can be borderline or misleading, so it's read alongside your blood count and, where needed, a few extra markers — and the cause is identified, not just the level.
The deficiency itself is straightforward to correct; the key is treating the underlying cause and confirming the response, then deciding whether you need ongoing top-ups.
“Dr. Manuj Sondhi is extremely knowledgeable, patient and professional. He took the time to listen carefully to every concern and explained the treatment clearly — the whole experience was very reassuring.”
“He explains the diagnosis and treatment very clearly, which gives real confidence and comfort. I truly appreciated his ethical and effective approach.”