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Does Vitamin B12 Deficiency Cause Balance Disorder And Weakness In Leg?
Question: Can the balance disorder or leg weakness be related to vit b12 deficiency? I am a vegetarian
Yes, they can be related. But details insufficient to give final verdict. Please reply with thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I have been experiencing dizziness and balance issues for last two weeks . I have been to ENT surgeon he put me on stugeron forte and verbet .8 for these symptoms . I was also asked to do the MRI for brain which came back as normal . Now my GP says the problem may be in vitamin deficiency . I am very stressed out and feel scared of walking
Brief Answer:
Check BP
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. Your doctor suspects Pernicious anemia, which makes it hard for your body to absorb vitamin B12. It could be due to deficiency of vitamin B12 itself or due to deficiency of an intrinsic factor which is required for its absorption. It could be a cause of your dizziness. Taking vitamin injections should give you some relief. Try taking Stemetil one tablet thrice daily and see if you get some relief.
However, I would request you to get your blood pressure checked first. High blood pressure could also be a cause of your problems.
What you are talking about could also be a condition called Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and could be due to a viral cause where it should spontaneously resolve in 7-10 days. You may read more about it at:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vertigo/basics/symptoms/con-0000
Check BP
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. Your doctor suspects Pernicious anemia, which makes it hard for your body to absorb vitamin B12. It could be due to deficiency of vitamin B12 itself or due to deficiency of an intrinsic factor which is required for its absorption. It could be a cause of your dizziness. Taking vitamin injections should give you some relief. Try taking Stemetil one tablet thrice daily and see if you get some relief.
However, I would request you to get your blood pressure checked first. High blood pressure could also be a cause of your problems.
What you are talking about could also be a condition called Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and could be due to a viral cause where it should spontaneously resolve in 7-10 days. You may read more about it at:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vertigo/basics/symptoms/con-0000
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
I have checked the blood pressure it was 130/ 80 . The dr also did ecg and sugar . Everything seems to be ok . I went to the ENT surgeon to show him the MRI report and told him about weakness in muscles and balance problems while walking . That ENT dr has asked me to see a neurologist . What would be your opinion
Brief Answer:
Give it some time and it will subside
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.
Since the BP is normal, there is no need to worry in this regard. Since the MRI does not have anything conclusive, I do not think that a neurologist can help. I think it is nothing but benign paroxysmal vertigo. It will take around 10 days to subside and I guess you would have to be a bit patient and take Stemetil in the meantime.
Give it some time and it will subside
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.
Since the BP is normal, there is no need to worry in this regard. Since the MRI does not have anything conclusive, I do not think that a neurologist can help. I think it is nothing but benign paroxysmal vertigo. It will take around 10 days to subside and I guess you would have to be a bit patient and take Stemetil in the meantime.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
I have been to a neurologist today. He conducted a few tests like ENG , balance assessment and thyroid anti body . The results are as following 1) ENG :-This is an abnormal ENG study suggestive of right irritative vestibulopathy . 2) Balance assessment :- moderate balance deficit , no sensory or motor ataxia . The dr has put me on 1) 1/2. Tablet lasilactone in the morning .2) vertin OD once a day 3) stugeron forte twice a day. What is the emaning of these reports ? What is your opinion about the treatment suggested . Also the dr has asked me to see him after i get the blood reports.
Brief Answer:
Neuorologist's opinion same as mine
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. I have gone through the details provided by you. Incidentally, the neurologist has done what he could and that was already presumable from my side. The fun part is that he has tested and told you things that I had already told you but in technical terms. Let me explain a bit further.
The vestibular apparatus is located in our inner ear and is responsible for balance. Cerebellum is a part of brain that also deals with balance and problem with it is called motor ataxia, but since MRI is normal, the problem is anyway expected to be in the vestibular apparatus. Some amount of problem in balance is there and even you can say that without being a medical person. Electronystagmography or ENG is a test to evaluate the functioning of this apparatus and needless to say that things are not going on very fine there. The fun part is that anybody could say that from common sense but its good that this has now been documented. I had told you about a condition called benign paroxysmal vertigo. Benign means harmless, paroxysmal means sudden onset and vertigo happens when the vestibular apparatus is irritated. I had asked you to take Stemetil which is almost similar to strugeron and vertin and those three are the only options that medical fraternity has for you. I had asked you to check your BP and the neurologist has already prescribed lasilactone which is basically a BP medication. So in short, the neurologist is on exactly the same path that I am on. Take the medicines that have been prescribed (you can follow any advice) and I expect gradual improvement in 10 days time.
Neuorologist's opinion same as mine
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. I have gone through the details provided by you. Incidentally, the neurologist has done what he could and that was already presumable from my side. The fun part is that he has tested and told you things that I had already told you but in technical terms. Let me explain a bit further.
The vestibular apparatus is located in our inner ear and is responsible for balance. Cerebellum is a part of brain that also deals with balance and problem with it is called motor ataxia, but since MRI is normal, the problem is anyway expected to be in the vestibular apparatus. Some amount of problem in balance is there and even you can say that without being a medical person. Electronystagmography or ENG is a test to evaluate the functioning of this apparatus and needless to say that things are not going on very fine there. The fun part is that anybody could say that from common sense but its good that this has now been documented. I had told you about a condition called benign paroxysmal vertigo. Benign means harmless, paroxysmal means sudden onset and vertigo happens when the vestibular apparatus is irritated. I had asked you to take Stemetil which is almost similar to strugeron and vertin and those three are the only options that medical fraternity has for you. I had asked you to check your BP and the neurologist has already prescribed lasilactone which is basically a BP medication. So in short, the neurologist is on exactly the same path that I am on. Take the medicines that have been prescribed (you can follow any advice) and I expect gradual improvement in 10 days time.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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