A 47-year-old member asked:
Can having vitamin b12 deficiency cause ocd symptoms?
1 doctor answer • 7 doctors weighed in

Dr. Lynne Weixelanswered
Clinical Psychology 38 years experience
Not at all likely: Almost no chance of a direct link, but... We do know that: 1) the b vitamins are important to nervous system functioning. 2) B12 can make a noticeable difference in how good one feels. 3) deficiencies are (by definition) good to correct. So, do try to improve your diet and even supplement nutrients that are hard to get enough of. See a professional for ocd treatment too.
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5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 36-year-old member asked:
Can a vitamin B12 deficiency bring around ocd?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

Dr. Louis Cadyanswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Amazingly, yes: Hermesh et al published in 1988 about 20% of an ocd group having unusually low levels of b12. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3176999
there was another report by sharma & biswas, 2012 - a cae of a middle-aged man with ocd, low serum b12, and a + family hx of B12 deficiency who responded to B12 replacement.
I would definitely get that level, as well as a methylmalonic acid level, checked.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
What are signs and symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in

Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
B12 deficiency: Mental confusion, headaches, impulsivity, paranoia, pins & needles in extremeties, balance problems.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Alan Ali commented
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Provided original answer
Yes, it can be hereditary
Nov 15, 2012
CA
A 46-year-old member asked:
Why does vitamin B12 deficiency cause neurological symptoms?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 48 years experience
Required by nerves: This co-factor is needed by the nerves to stay healthy. Each nerve cell has a self repair system that relies on a variety of nutrients in our diet to provide the needed material to keep the walls intact and the cell working. Lack of B12 eventually causes that repair system to start breaking down and nerve cells malfunction or degenerate, leading to neurologic symptoms.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
What are the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency?
3 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in

Dr. Wanda Bedinghausanswered
Holistic Medicine 52 years experience
B12 for red cells: Many people are B12 deficient. It's an important nutrient in red blood cell and nerve development. Symptoms of deficiency include: weakness, fast heart beat, pale skin, easy bruising, tingling or numbness in fingers and toes, difficulty walking, depression, memory loss and dementia. A significant factor in causes of this deficiency is the use of acid-reducing drugs for gerd.
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5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Ireland
A 19-year-old male asked:
Are the neurological symptoms from vitamin B12 deficiency reversible?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

Dr. Lori Semelanswered
Pediatrics 37 years experience
Not Always: The progression of neurologic complications is generally gradual. They are not always reversible with treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency, especially if they have been present for a long time.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Jun 21, 2020
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