Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Hello Doctor,

My problems started about two months back. After having a spicy meal i started having tingling problem in my tongue.
At the tip of the tongue i started getting tiny little red spots. This got followed with  somekind of dry sensation in my mouth especially on th gums . I also started developing some kind tingling sensation on my palm (left hand). This tingling sensation is quite frequent. Ocassionally i get this tingling even in my toes. I visited my primary care physician
and she said that the tingling could be corpal tunnel syndrome and for my mouth she asked to change my toothpaste
and avoid spicy food. But these symptoms kept on  coming on and off.  In addition to this i also started getting persistent headaches accompanied with some kind of dizziness but i never fainted. Having developed these symptoms
i made a doctor visit again and she did a regular blood checkup and figured out that my vitamin b12 content was low ( in the order of 150). She confirmed that all these  symptoms are due  to vitamin b12 deficiency.  She has prescribed
vitamin b12 tablets and has also given b12 injections for the last one month on a weekly basis.  Its been a month but none of these symptoms have subsided. They reappear again. I just wanted to know about the recovery of my body due to vitamin b12 deficiency. How long does it take for the body to absorb the b12 so that symptoms go way. SHould my vitamin b12 shots intake need  to be increased ( on a daily basis). After regularly getting b12 injections every week i also started getting tiny red spots like pimples on my face. But they go off in a day or two. Is this
a side effect of the shots?

Please advise me appropriately.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Although possible, I am not aware of the skin bumps being commonly associated with B12 supplements.

That said, I agree with starting with treating B12 deficiency.

If the symptoms continue, you may want to be evaluated by a neurologist, to ensure other potential causes aren't present.  Further testing can involve head imaging, like an MRI or CT scan, to ensure there is no compression of the nerve innervating the tongue.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin Pho, M.D.

KevinMD.com
Twitter.com/kevinmd