Can untreated anemia mimic dementia symptoms? Yes, it can, because low oxygen to the brain from anemia often causes memory loss, confusion, and brain fog that look a lot like early dementia.
Anemia happens when your body lacks enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen around. Without enough oxygen reaching the brain, people feel foggy and struggle to think clearly. They might forget things often, have trouble focusing on simple tasks, or mix up conversations. These issues build up slowly, just like dementia does in its beginning stages.
Iron deficiency anemia, a common type, hits women hard due to heavy periods or poor diets. It leads to brain fog where work feels overwhelming and rereading the same page becomes normal. Concentration drops, and memory slips make daily life harder. Mood swings, irritability, or feeling flat add to the mix, mimicking emotional changes seen in dementia.
Vitamin B12 deficiency causes a specific anemia that doctors call the great masquerader. It tricks people into thinking they have dementia or depression. Early signs include word-finding problems, forgetting appointments, and mental slowness. As it worsens, confusion grows, balance fails, and severe memory loss sets in. In older adults, up to 15 percent of dementia cases might actually stem from this treatable B12 shortage. Untreated, it risks permanent nerve damage, but catching it early reverses the brain symptoms.
Other anemia types from B12 or folate shortages share these traits. Pale skin, tiredness that rest does not fix, and tingling in hands or feet often appear too. These overlap with dementia, so doctors must test blood levels to tell them apart. Fatigue feels deep, sleep does not help, and tasks that used to be easy turn exhausting.
Many overlook anemia because its signs blend with stress, aging, or menopause. Headaches, dizziness, and poor sleep pile on, making brain issues seem like normal getting older. But simple blood tests spot low iron or B12 fast. Treatment with pills, shots, or diet changes often clears the fog and sharpens memory quickly.
Sources
https://www.medicaldaily.com/silent-anemia-warning-signs-13-overlooked-anemia-symptoms-women-474237
https://wellbeingnutrition.com/blogs/gut-detox-cleanse/b12-and-d3-deficiency-signs-you-shouldnt-ignore
https://www.medicaldaily.com/hidden-b12-deficiency-symptoms-how-low-vitamin-b12-triggers-fatigue-what-you-can-do-474165
https://healthelite24.com/blog/brain-health-memory-improvement-cognitive-function-dementia-prevention-complete-guide-2025
https://wellbeingnutrition.com/blogs/skin-beauty/how-to-recognize-b12-deficiency-symptoms-fast
