Vitamin B12 cause of infertility and psychological symptoms?

Vitamin B12 deficiency is harmful to your health. Sometimes the cause is a congenital defect. This can even result in infertility and psychological complaints.

Our daughter is a miracle in every way. It took a very long time before she finally arrived....And now, unfortunately, even with the wish for a second one, we are facing challenges again. I could write quite a few blogs about this long road, but that's not what I want to talk about today. What I do want to tell you is that I am glad - no matter how crazy it sounds - that we did not succeed in one go. Because I learned a lot. Because it saved my health.

I found out I had a serious B12 deficiency and I'm convinced I'm much healthier now than I would have been otherwise. A good B12 level (even if you already have children, had them a long time ago or just think they are stupid and want to skip the whole thing) is essential for your body. Too low a B12 is very damaging to your health. Point.

And what I also learned: if there is one deficiency of those B vitamins, there are often more. They need each other. Especially another important B vitamin, namely folic acid. Or rather: folate. Because many people have a shortage of active folate in their cells and taking folic acid - which first has to be converted by your body in order to be used - does not help. In my case this is due to a gene mutation, I wanted to be a bit special and I have two. About 10 percent of the population has two, so unfortunately I am not that special. And no less than 40 percent have one. Next time I would like to tell more about it.

But anyway, I started using supplements, feeling better and better, and: I started to recognise the symptoms in others too, in my parents, friends and colleagues. And also in them the complaints became less and often even went away after using B vitamin supplements. Now you ask yourself of course: how do I know if I have such a shortage? Do the symptoms I have fit in with that?

I hope my story can help you. Because almost 40 percent of the population has a B12 deficiency is more or less (see among others Tucker et al, 2000) and that is worrisome. A social problem perhaps even. And it's so easy to fix, it costs a little money, though. And going forward, also some energy to figure out how it works out for you. But the payoff is very big, for the rest of your life. Hopefully this blog will help you get started.

There may be a lack of B12 in your cells, while the value in the blood is still within the normal range. This can be measured with the so-called holotranscobalamin test. ThisActive Vitamin B12 test is very easy to order and can show a shortage at an earlier stage than the regular B12 test, which measures the value in your blood and not in your cells. And in your cells you need sufficient B12 so desperately!

Which complaints fit with a B12 and folic acid deficiency? You can think of:

Physical complaints, including:

• Tingling, nerve pain, muscle complaints, loss of strength
• Clumsiness, dizziness
• Arrhythmias
• Fatigue and waking up tired
• Pain in the back / stomach
• Laryngitis
• Infertility

Psychological complaints, including:

• Forgetfulness, concentration problems (and even dementia)
• Difficulty with words
• Anxiety and depression
• Lack of zest for life/ pleasure
• Compulsion and aggression
• Sleep problems

As mentioned before, there are people who are not able to convert folic acid into active folic acid (or methylfolate). I'll go into this in more detail in the next blog!

Greetings,

Marlies

For more information about the mentioned tests click here

Do you recognize yourself in the complaints? Would you like to know more? Leave a comment!