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The Hidden Toll of B12 Deficiency: A Story of Resilience and Advocacy

karadellow24

Updated: Jan 27


In today’s Telegraph Health section, I came across a compelling story that sheds light on the long-term effects of B12 deficiency and the resilience it takes to advocate for one’s own health. A reader shared her journey of battling debilitating brain fog and fatigue, symptoms that were repeatedly dismissed by her GP as inconsequential or simply signs of stress and ageing.


Her turning point came during a particularly bad week when she boarded the wrong train home three times. This alarming incident pushed her to seek further testing and support, eventually leading to a diagnosis of Pernicious Anaemia, an autoimmune condition causing chronic B12 deficiency.


The Overlooked Diagnosis

The most striking part of her story was that she had been diagnosed with Pernicious Anaemia 14 years earlier but was severely under-treated. The therapeutic doses of B12 supplementation she desperately needed were never provided, leaving her to struggle with worsening symptoms for years.


Vitamin B12 is vital for healthy blood and nerve cells, DNA production, and energy metabolism. Deficiency symptoms include:

  • Fatigue

  • Pins and needles in the hands and feet

  • Mouth ulcers

  • Depression

  • Confusion

  • A red, sore tongue


Two Lessons from Her Story

1. The Normalization of Symptoms

The reader’s high-performing lifestyle masked the severity of her symptoms. She functioned through exhaustion, assuming her experiences were normal—something many busy professionals and parents can relate to. This highlights the importance of being an advocate for your own health.


A quick chat with a GP may not uncover the root cause of persistent symptoms, especially when they’re dismissed as “just stress” or “getting older.” Comprehensive testing is often necessary to reveal underlying imbalances and guide a path back to health.


2. The Importance of Therapeutic Dosing

Despite supplementing with B12 and other vitamins, she wasn’t receiving therapeutic levels to address her deficiency adequately. For years, her symptoms were trivialized, attributed to her role as a busy working mother. It wasn’t until she saw a haematologist that her condition was treated properly with injections every eight weeks—or more frequently when needed.

This underscores the need for tailored, therapeutic interventions. Simply taking supplements isn’t always enough; proper dosing and delivery methods are critical, especially for conditions like Pernicious Anaemia.


This story serves as a powerful reminder to listen to your body’s signals and act on them. Normalizing fatigue, brain fog, or other symptoms can prevent timely interventions that restore health. Thriving—not merely surviving—requires a personalized approach to wellness that addresses the root causes of imbalance.


If you’ve been living with persistent symptoms, don’t settle for quick fixes or dismissals. Advocate for thorough testing and individualized care to reclaim your health and quality of life.

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