Tingling and numbness? How polyneuropathy and vitamin B12 deficiency are linked
When you experience tingling or numbness in your hands or feet, there is sometimes more to it than just overexertion. Learn how a vitamin B12 deficiency can irritate your nervous system—and what you can do about it.
What causes tingling and numbness in the hands or feet?
Tingling in the hands, numbness in the feet, or an unpleasant “pins and needles” sensation on the skin—such sensations may be harmless, but should be taken seriously if they occur repeatedly. Doctors refer to this as paresthesia: stimuli that are misinterpreted by the nervous system. These are early warning signs and may indicate irritation or damage to the nerves.
Possible triggers include diabetes mellitus (for example, in the context of polyneuropathy) or nutritional deficiencies, particularly vitamin B12 deficiency.¹,²
Polyneuropathy: When your nerves sound the alarm
Vitamin B12 is essential for building, repairing, and maintaining this protective layer. If there is a prolonged deficiency of this vitamin, the myelin sheath can become thinner or develop holes.³
The result: stimuli reach the brain with a delay or incorrectly.
The result: stimuli reach the brain with a delay or incorrectly.
🧠 Your brain reacts sensitively to these false signals—typical symptoms include:³
- numbness
- tingling
- stinging
- pain
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If your deficiency remains untreated, it can develop into polyneuropathy—a nerve disorder in which several nerves are damaged at the same time. It usually begins symmetrically in the toes and feet and spreads upward in a stocking-like pattern. In later stages, the hands (glove-like) may also be affected.
Typical accompanying symptoms:⁴
- Unsteadiness when walking, especially in the dark or on uneven ground
- decreasing tactile sensitivity, for example when grasping small objects
- Impaired temperature or pain perception
Early diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency often stops the progression of the disease. However, nerves that have already been damaged need time to regenerate—sometimes months or even years—and they do not always recover completely.
Does vitamin B12 help with polyneuropathy?
Vitamin B12 is not a cure-all for every type of polyneuropathy, as there are different forms depending on the cause. However, if a vitamin B12 deficiency is responsible for the nerve damage, targeted treatment can help to stop the symptoms from progressing. Talk to your doctor to find the right treatment for you.
The path to diagnosis: What can you do about tingling and numbness?
If you frequently suffer from tingling in your hands or numbness in your feet, you should not take this lightly. Such symptoms can be a sign that your nervous system is out of balance.
The first step is to visit your family doctor, who will refer you to a neurologist if necessary.
A simple blood test can reveal whether a vitamin B12 deficiency is causing your symptoms—or whether there are other causes.
A simple blood test can reveal whether a vitamin B12 deficiency is causing your symptoms—or whether there are other causes.
Tip
The so-called Holo-TC value (Holo-Transcobalamin), which measures the actual amount of vitamin B12 available in the body, is particularly meaningful in this context.
The earlier a deficiency is detected, the better the chances of stopping or even reversing nerve damage.
Frequently asked questions about polyneuropathy
What causes tingling and numbness in the hands and feet?
Tingling and numbness are often caused by irritated or damaged nerves. Possible causes include diabetes or a vitamin B12 deficiency.¹,²
What can help against polyneuropathy?
Treatment depends on the cause of the nerve disorder. In the case of vitamin B12 deficiency, targeted supplementation of the vitamin is crucial to halt the progression of polyneuropathy and alleviate nerve damage.5
*Vibe® is a vitamin B12 supplement used to treat a specific type of anemia. It is used in adults for the long-term treatment of anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency (called pernicious anemia) after blood levels have been brought back to normal through treatment with vitamin B12 injections.
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1 Bauduceau, Bernard, und Lyse Bordier. „Painful Forms of Diabetic Neuropathy“. Presse Medicale (Paris, France: 1983), Bd. 53, Nr. 2, 2024, S. 104236, doi:10.1016/j.lpm.2024.104236.
2 Jatoi, Shazia, u. a. „Low Vitamin B12 Levels: An Underestimated Cause of Minimal Cognitive Impairment and Dementia“. Cureus, Bd. 12, Nr. 2, 2020, S. e6976, doi:10.7759/cureus.6976.
3 Nawaz, Ammara, u. a. „Deficiency of Vitamin B12 and Its Relation with Neurological Disorders: A Critical Review“. Journal of Basic & Applied Zoology, Bd. 81, Nr. 1, 2020, doi:10.1186/s41936-020-00148-0.
4 Mirian, Ario, u. a. „Diagnosis and Management of Patients with Polyneuropathy“. Journal de l’Association Medicale Canadienne [Canadian Medical Association Journal], Bd. 195, Nr. 6, 2023, S. E227–E233, doi:10.1503/cmaj.220936.
5 Warendorf, Janna K., u. a. „Clinical Relevance of Testing for Metabolic Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Patients with Polyneuropathy“. Nutritional Neuroscience, Bd. 25, Nr. 12, 2022, S. 2536–2546, doi:10.1080/1028415X.2021.1985751.
