Anemia - Symptoms

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Over time, psychiatric and neurologic problems develop. Vitamin B12 deficiencies cause neurologic symptoms (numbness and tingling, depression, memory loss, and irritability), and folate deficiency may result in depression and dementia (in severe cases).

Symptoms of Pernicious Anemia. Early neurologic symptoms of pernicious anemia are due to B12 deficiency. They include numbness and tingling, depression, memory loss, and irritability. Advanced nerve damage can cause loss of balance and staggering, confusion, dementia, spasticity, loss of bladder control, and erectile dysfunction. Folic acid deficiency does not cause neurologic damage, although people with this deficiency can be irritable, forgetful, and experience personality changes. Of concern for patients with pernicious anemia and B12 deficiency anemia is that folic acid supplements can mask the presence of this disease in its early stages but not cure it. The only cure is vitamin B12 supplementation.

Review Date: 01/17/2007
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital

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