Vitamin B12: The Deficiency That Masquerades as "Getting Old"
"I'm just getting older."
"I'm tired because of work."
"I'm forgetting things because I'm stressed."
Are you? Or are you deficient?
Vitamin B12 deficiency is surprisingly common, especially in the UK where meat consumption is dropping and veganism is rising. B12 is found almost exclusively in animal products. If you don't eat them, or if your stomach acid is too weak to extract the vitamin (common as we age), you run out.
The Symptoms You Might Miss
B12 deficiency isn't just about tiredness. It affects the nervous system.
Pins and needles in hands or feet.
Brain fog and memory slips.
Mood changes or irritability.
Mouth ulcers or a sore tongue.
Because these symptoms are vague, they are often dismissed as "stress" or "ageing."
The "Grey Zone"
On an NHS blood test, the "normal" range for B12 is huge (often 150–900 ng/L). But many neurologists argue that anything under 300 can cause symptoms. You might be told you are "normal" at 180, but you are functionally deficient.
The Injection Solution
If your levels are low, tablets might not work. B12 is hard to absorb in the gut.
Intramuscular injections bypass the digestive system entirely. They deliver the vitamin straight into the muscle, where it can be used immediately. Many patients describe it as "waking up" or a "fog lifting" within days of their first loading dose.
Testing is Easy
Don't guess. A simple blood test can confirm your levels. If you are low, a private GP can arrange a course of injections or high-dose supplements to get you back to full power.
You shouldn't have to accept fatigue as your default state.