Do You Smoke And Feel Constantly Tired?
Your Vitamin B12 Levels May Be Worth Checking.
You blame the early mornings. Work. Stress. Poor sleep.
But if the tiredness, brain fog or pins and needles keep hanging around,
there may be more to investigate.
Research has explored links between cigarette smoking and vitamin B12 status,
making persistent symptoms worth discussing with a healthcare professional.
Morning coffee.
First cigarette.
Then you get on with the day.
But lately something feels off.
You’re tired before the day has properly started.
Your concentration disappears halfway through the afternoon.
Maybe you’ve noticed pins and needles, weakness or that strange feeling
that your body simply isn’t firing properly.
It is easy to write that off as stress or poor sleep.
But persistent symptoms deserve a proper look.
Does Smoking Cause Vitamin B12 Deficiency?
The answer needs a little nuance.
Smoking is not considered one of the main established causes of vitamin B12
deficiency in the same way as pernicious anaemia, certain gastrointestinal
conditions, inadequate dietary intake or some medicines.
However, research has investigated differences in vitamin B12 status between
smokers and non-smokers.
What has research found?
Some studies have reported lower vitamin B12 concentrations in tissues among
current smokers compared with non-smokers.
That does not prove that every smoker is B12 deficient, nor does it mean
smoking automatically creates a need for B12 injections.
The useful question is therefore not:
“I smoke. Do I need B12?”
It is:
“I have symptoms or risk factors. Should my B12 status be investigated?”
What Does Vitamin B12 Actually Do?
Vitamin B12 performs several important jobs in the body.
Red Blood Cells
Vitamin B12 is required for normal red blood cell production.
Nervous System
B12 plays an important role in maintaining normal neurological function.
Normal Energy Metabolism
Vitamin B12 contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism and the reduction
of tiredness and fatigue.
Symptoms Of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause a surprisingly broad range of symptoms.
- Extreme tiredness
- Lack of energy
- Muscle weakness
- A sore or red tongue
- Mouth ulcers
- Pins and needles
- Problems with memory or concentration
- Changes in mood or psychological symptoms
- Vision problems
- Neurological symptoms
Symptoms do not equal a diagnosis
Tiredness, weakness, brain fog and pins and needles can have many different
causes.
If symptoms are persistent or unexplained, proper assessment matters.
Who Else Is At Risk Of Low Vitamin B12?
Smoking may only be one part of your overall health picture.
Vegetarian Or Vegan Diet
Vitamin B12 is naturally found mainly in animal-derived foods, so inadequate
intake can occur without appropriate fortified foods or supplementation.
Pernicious Anaemia
Pernicious anaemia affects the body’s ability to absorb vitamin B12 and is an
important cause of B12 deficiency in the UK.
Gut Conditions
Conditions affecting the stomach or intestines can interfere with normal
vitamin B12 absorption.
Previous Surgery
Certain stomach or bowel operations can increase the risk of vitamin B12
deficiency.
Certain Medicines
Medicines including metformin and proton pump inhibitors can affect vitamin
B12 levels in some people.
Older Age
Vitamin B12 deficiency becomes more common with increasing age.
Should Smokers Have Their Vitamin B12 Checked?
Smoking alone does not automatically mean you need a vitamin B12 blood test.
But testing may be worth discussing if you have persistent symptoms or other
risk factors for deficiency.
You may want to consider assessment if you:
- Feel persistently tired or weak
- Experience unexplained pins and needles
- Have concentration or memory problems
- Follow a vegan or restrictive diet
- Take medicines associated with reduced B12 levels
- Have a gastrointestinal condition affecting absorption
- Have previously been told your B12 is low
What Happens If Your Vitamin B12 Is Low?
This is where we move away from guessing.
Assess Your Symptoms
Your symptoms, medical history, diet and current medicines help build the
clinical picture.
Check Vitamin B12 Where Appropriate
Blood testing can help identify a possible B12 deficiency and provide
information for further assessment.
Consider The Cause
Finding out why B12 is low matters. Diet, pernicious anaemia, medicines,
gastrointestinal disease and previous surgery may all need consideration.
Choose Appropriate Treatment
Depending on the cause and your clinical circumstances, treatment may involve
oral vitamin B12 or B12 injections.
Further Investigation Where Needed
If your symptoms or results suggest an underlying condition requiring medical
investigation, you may be advised to speak to your GP or specialist.
What About Vitamin B12 Injections?
Vitamin B12 injections provide B12 by injection rather than relying on a tablet
or dietary source.
At Holden’s Wellness Clinic, we offer a private Vitamin B12 injection service
in Doncaster and Newark following a short consultation and clinical
suitability assessment.
Our current B12 injection service is priced at £39 per injection.
A B12 injection is not automatically appropriate simply because you smoke or
feel tired.
If your symptoms suggest further investigation is needed, our team may
recommend blood testing or GP assessment instead.
Vitamin B12 Testing & Injections In Doncaster And Newark
Holden’s Wellness Clinic offers private Vitamin B12 blood testing and
Vitamin B12 injections from our clinics in Scawsby, Doncaster and Newark.
Scawsby, Doncaster
Holden’s Chemist Scawsby
Unit 4 Barnsley Road
Scawsby
Doncaster
DN5 8QE
Serving Scawsby, Cusworth, Bentley, Sprotbrough and the wider Doncaster area.
Newark
Holden’s Chemist Express
77b Eton Avenue
Newark-on-Trent
NG24 4JH
Serving Newark, Balderton, Farndon, Winthorpe and surrounding areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does smoking lower vitamin B12?
Research has identified differences in vitamin B12 status between some smokers
and non-smokers, including lower tissue concentrations in some studies.
However, smoking is not considered one of the main established causes of
vitamin B12 deficiency, and individual B12 status should not be assumed from
smoking alone.
Does smoking stop you absorbing vitamin B12?
It would be too strong to say that smoking routinely prevents vitamin B12
absorption. Established causes of impaired B12 absorption include pernicious
anaemia, certain gastrointestinal conditions, previous stomach surgery and
some medicines.
Can low B12 make you tired?
Yes. Extreme tiredness and lack of energy are recognised symptoms of vitamin
B12 deficiency. Fatigue can also have many other causes.
Can low B12 cause pins and needles?
Yes. Vitamin B12 deficiency can affect the nervous system and pins and needles
are a recognised symptom.
Should I have a B12 injection because I smoke?
Not simply because you smoke. Whether B12 treatment is appropriate depends on
your symptoms, medical history, risk factors and clinical assessment.
Can I have a private B12 injection?
Holden’s Wellness Clinic offers private Vitamin B12 injections in Doncaster
and Newark following a consultation to confirm that treatment is suitable.
Smoking. Tiredness. Brain Fog.
Don’t Just Guess What’s Causing It.
If something feels off, find out whether vitamin B12 could be part of the
picture.
Start with assessment. If a Vitamin B12 injection is appropriate, our
pharmacist-led clinics in Doncaster and Newark can help.
This page provides general health information and does not diagnose vitamin
B12 deficiency. Smoking is harmful to health and stopping smoking is one of
the most important steps a smoker can take to reduce their risk of serious
disease. Persistent neurological symptoms, unexplained fatigue or suspected
vitamin B12 deficiency should be assessed by an appropriate healthcare
professional.