The short explanation
Low vitamin B12 is common in lifelong vegetarians, because B12 is found mainly in animal foods such as milk, curd, eggs, fish and meat. Tingling or numbness in the feet together with a low B12 report is something to get treated soon, because B12 is needed for healthy nerves as well as for making red blood cells. The good news is that B12 shortage is treatable. A doctor will usually confirm the result, check your blood count, and suggest a way to replace B12, by mouth or by injection depending on how low it is and whether your body absorbs it well. Nerve symptoms often improve with treatment, though recovery can take time, which is why it should not be left for long.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- Long-term use of some diabetes or acidity medicines can lower B12, so tell your doctor about any regular medicines.
- Some people cannot absorb B12 from food because of a stomach condition, and they need a different approach from simple diet change.
- B12 shortage can also cause tiredness, mouth ulcers, memory problems, low mood and a type of anaemia with large red cells.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This cannot tell you how severe your deficiency is or whether the tingling is fully due to B12. Your doctor may examine your nerves and order further tests.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- How low is my B12, and is my blood count affected?
- Should I get it by mouth or by injection?
- Why is my body low in B12, diet or absorption?
- Will the tingling get better, and how long might that take?
- Can milk and curd be enough to keep it up afterwards?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Get help the same day
- Get care the same day if you have trouble walking, weakness in your legs, or sudden confusion.
Book an appointment soon
- See a doctor within a few days to start treatment, since nerve symptoms should not wait.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Book routine follow-up tests as your doctor advises to confirm levels are recovering.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Anemia MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine)
- Vegetarian diet MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine)
- The vegetarian diet NHS
Who wrote and reviewed this
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- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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