What Causes Tingling Sensation In The Legs When Diagnosed With Vitamin B12 Deficiency?

Posted on Tue, 30 May 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 30 May 2017 Answered on

Mon, 19 Jun 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello,
I have beeb diagnosed with b12 def. I have taken b12 shots but i have severe pain in spinal cord and a weird tingling in my legs. This sensation moved upward until my nek.
What can this be? I have to stay in bed for half the day.

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
This is due to peripheral neuropathy

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. You seem to have developed peripheral neuropathy as a result of vitamin B12 deficiency. Apart from the injections I would insist you to get Methylcobalamine capsule 1500 mcg once daily for at least a couple of weeks.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (18 minutes later)

Dear dr prof Saha,
Thank you for your answer.

Will i recover fully with oral supplementation and injections.

How long will it take to recover?

Is is important to make a MRI scan of the spinal cord. Because of the severe pain?

I have tested positive on anti parienteel cells in stomac. Do i need to take b12 for live.

Thank you prof. For your time and knowledge.

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (49 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
The recovery would depend on underlying cause. Step by step approach needed

Detailed Answer:
A reasonable improvement is expected. It is hard to say if the recovery would be complete. Often the recovery is not complete. It may take a few months for the recovery. It might be a good idea to get an MRI of the spine as compression of the spinal cord due to any cause could give rise to similar presentation.

Regarding the anti-parietal cell antibodies, I would insist you to upload the test report and I would guide you accordingly.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (32 minutes later)

Dear professor Saha,

The test results are at the doctors office.
I will ask them to send me a copy. At the moment i only know that the performed an ELISA test on parietal cells and it is positif. No antibodies found against intrisic factor. The did not perfofm Mma test.

Thank you for your time and knowlegde. I appreciate it highly.

Regards

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Thanks for the updates

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. I was asking exactly about the Castle's intrinsic factor. In absence of any antibodies against it chances are that there would be good response with supplementation with Castle's extrinsic factor for Vitamin B12.

Feel free to ask me back in case of further queries. As of now treatment is on the right track and you can rest assured about that.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar