Question 1

what are the symptoms of vitamin b12 deficiency?

Accepted Answer

B12 for red cells: Many people are B12 deficient. It's an important nutrient in red blood cell and nerve development.  Symptoms of deficiency include: weakness, fast heart beat, pale skin, easy bruising, tingling or numbness in fingers and toes, difficulty walking, depression, memory loss and dementia.  A significant factor in causes of this deficiency is the use of acid-reducing drugs for gerd.

Question 2

can a vitamin b12 deficiency bring around ocd?

Accepted Answer

Amazingly, yes: Hermesh et al published in 1988 about 20% of an ocd group having unusually low levels of b12.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3176999
there was another report by sharma & biswas, 2012 - a cae of a middle-aged man with ocd, low serum b12, and a + family hx of B12 deficiency who responded to B12 replacement.
I would definitely get that level, as well as a methylmalonic acid level, checked.

Question 3

would a vitamin b12 deficiency affect my sleep?

Accepted Answer

Yes: If you have pernicious anemia with your vitamin B12 deficiency, you can have nervous system problems that can include incontinence and muscle spasms which can affect sleep.  Treatment with intramuscular injections of vitamin B12 can help.  If you have a mild deficiency but not pernicious anemia, it is less likely that sleep will be affected.

Question 4

will a vitamin b12 deficiency cause infertility?

Accepted Answer

No: No, but b vitamins are important for healthy organ development in early pregnancy. It is important to take supplemental folic acid, and consider a b complex vitamin as well, to support normal organ development if you are reproductive aged woman.

Question 5

what is the treatment for vitamin b12 deficiency?

Accepted Answer

Replacement: Either B12 injections or high dose oral therapy.

Question 6

can vegetarians develop a vitamin b12 deficiency?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Vitamin B12 is essential to the blood and nervous systems.  It is typically found in fish, shellfish, meat, eggs, and dairy products.  Among vegetarians, strict vegans are most at risk for deficiency.

Question 7

can having vitamin b12 deficiency cause ocd symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Not at all likely: Almost no chance of a direct link, but... We do know that: 1) the b vitamins are important to nervous system  functioning. 2) B12 can make a noticeable difference in how good one feels. 3) deficiencies are (by definition) good to correct. So, do try to improve your diet and even supplement nutrients that are hard to get enough of. See a professional for ocd treatment too.

Question 8

is a vitamin b12 deficiency associated with lyme disease?

Accepted Answer

No : There is no literature or study showing any correlation between Lyme disease a.nd B12 deficiency.

Question 9

is there any link between cholelithiasis and vitamin b12 deficiency?

Accepted Answer

Indirectly: While there is no known direct link between vitamin B12 deficiency and cholelithiasis, there is a significantly increased rate of gallstones in patients with pernicious anemia.  Pernicious anemia is a condition in which red blood cells are decreased due to vitamin B12 deficiency.  So, if ones B12 deficiency is severe enough to cause pernicious anemia, then the risk of gallstones is increased.

Question 10

how effective is the treatment of vitamin b12 deficiency even when it has affected the nerves?

Accepted Answer

Maybe: It can cause permanent damage to nervous tissue if left untreated longer than 6 months.
 Links:
1) http://en.Wikipedia.Org/wiki/vitamin_b12_deficiency
2) http://www.Webmd.Com/food-recipes/guide/vitamin-b12-deficiency-symptoms-causes.

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Can having vitamin b12 deficiency cause ocd symptoms?

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How effective is the treatment of vitamin b12 deficiency even when it has affected the nerves?

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