The following symptoms and complaints may indicate megaloblastic anemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency:
Cardiac
- General decrease in performance
- Dizziness
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Palpitations (heart stuttering)
- Angina pectoris (“chest tightness”; sudden pain in the region of the heart)
- Icterus (yellowing of the skin)
- Tachycardia – too fast heartbeat: > 100 beats per minute.
Gastrointestinal (gastrointestinal tract).
- Tongue burning
- Smooth red tongue
- Anorexia (loss of appetite)
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea (diarrhea)
- Gastritis (inflammation of the gastric mucosa)
- Malabsorption
- Steatorrhea (fatty stools)
Nervous system
- Numbness in the extremities
- Paresis (paralysis) in the extremities
- Muscle weakness
- Ataxia (gait disorders)
- Decreased or increased reflexes
- Disturbed sense of position
- Disturbed vibration sensation
- Forgetfulness
- Dementia
- Psychosis
The following symptoms and complaints may indicate megaloblastic anemia due to folic acid deficiency, pernicious anemia, or other causes:
Cardiac (Cardiovascular)
- General decrease in performance
- Dizziness
- Tinnitus
- Palpitations (heart palpitations)
- Angina pectoris (“chest tightness”; sudden pain in the region of the heart)
- Tachycardia – too fast pulse with > 100 beats per minute.
Symptoms affecting the gastrointestinal tract are generally more pronounced than in vitamin B12 deficiency anemia:
- Cheilosis – redness and swelling of the lips.
- Glossitis (inflammation of the tongue)
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea (diarrhea)
- Gastritis (inflammation of the gastric mucosa)
- Malabsorption
- Steatorrhea (fatty stools)
Further
- Icterus (yellowing of the skin)
