Can too much vitamins cause tingling, numbness, and nerve damage?

October 8, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), numerous reports have linked excessive vitamin B6 intake from supplements to nerve damage. It is a little-known fact that while vitamins are crucial for health, taking too much can cause tingling and other severe side effects, especially if consumed as high-dose supplements.

Quick Summary

Chronic high-dose supplementation of certain vitamins, primarily vitamin B6, can lead to peripheral neuropathy, resulting in a tingling or numbness sensation in the hands and feet. Other vitamins, like D and B12, can also cause adverse effects in excess, including nerve-related symptoms, though B6 is the most notable cause of vitamin-induced tingling.

Key Points

Excess Vitamin B6: Prolonged, high-dose vitamin B6 supplementation is the most common vitamin cause of tingling and nerve damage.
Peripheral Neuropathy: Tingling, numbness, and burning sensations in the extremities are key symptoms of B6 toxicity, caused by nerve damage.
Supplements vs. Food: Vitamin toxicity typically comes from high-dose supplements, not from consuming B6-rich foods.
Hypercalcemia from Vitamin D: An overdose of vitamin D can lead to high blood calcium levels, which may cause neurological symptoms like tingling.
B12 Overdose Risks: While less common, long-term, high-dose B12 supplementation can also result in tingling sensations.
Check Labels Carefully: B6 is often an ingredient in other supplements like multivitamins and magnesium, so it is crucial to check all labels.
Symptoms Can Be Reversible: Stopping the supplement often resolves symptoms, but severe B6 toxicity can result in permanent nerve damage.

Understanding Vitamin Overdose and Tingling

While essential for bodily functions, vitamins are not harmless when taken in excessive quantities. A phenomenon known as hypervitaminosis can occur when you consume far more than the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of a particular vitamin, usually through high-dose supplements rather than food. One of the most prominent symptoms of this is peripheral neuropathy, which manifests as tingling, numbness, or burning in the hands and feet.

The Primary Culprit: Vitamin B6 Toxicity

Excessive intake of vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, is the most common cause of supplement-induced peripheral neuropathy. The condition results from damage to the peripheral sensory nerves, those outside the brain and spinal cord, which send sensory information to the central nervous system. The damage disrupts proper nerve signaling, leading to sensations like tingling or numbness. High doses, often defined as more than 250 mg per day over a long period, are typically linked to this toxicity, though some cases report adverse effects at lower doses below 50 mg. This risk is heightened for those taking multiple supplements containing B6, often unknowingly.

Mechanism of action: Scientists believe that excessive B6 may interfere with the neurotransmitter GABA, disrupting how signals are sent to the sensory nerves. This interference leads to the sensory dysfunction associated with peripheral neuropathy.
Risk factors: Certain individuals may be more susceptible to B6 toxicity. The risk can vary between people, and no minimum dose, duration of use, or underlying risk factors have been identified as exclusive triggers.
Supplement sources: Many products, including multivitamins, B-complex formulas, and supplements for specific purposes like magnesium or zinc, contain added B6. Always check the label, as B6 might be listed under chemical names like pyridoxine hydrochloride or pyridoxal 5-phosphate.

Other Vitamins that May Cause Tingling

Although less common than with B6, other vitamins can also lead to nerve-related symptoms in excessive amounts. These often result from the cascade effect of hypervitaminosis, which can disrupt various physiological processes.

Vitamin D toxicity: An overdose of vitamin D can cause hypercalcemia, an excess of calcium in the blood. This can cause neurological symptoms, including numbness and tingling, alongside fatigue, muscle weakness, and confusion.
Vitamin B12 overdose: While generally considered safe even at high doses because the body excretes excess amounts, prolonged intake of very high doses of oral or injected B12 has been associated with tingling or numbness in the extremities. This is less common but still a reported side effect.

Comparison of Vitamins and Tingling Risk


Vitamin	Risk of Tingling from Overdose	Common Cause of Overdose	Other Symptoms	Reversibility
Vitamin B6	High	Chronic, high-dose supplementation (especially from multi-supplements)	Pain, burning, muscle weakness, unsteady gait	Improves upon cessation, but nerve damage can be permanent in severe cases
Vitamin D	Low to Moderate	Excessive supplementation, sometimes with specific medical conditions	Hypercalcemia symptoms: fatigue, confusion, nausea, muscle weakness	Reversible upon discontinuing supplements and lowering blood calcium levels
Vitamin B12	Very Low	Prolonged, high-dose supplementation or injections	Headaches, skin rashes, diarrhea, mood swings	Generally rare and less severe; symptoms typically resolve upon reducing intake

What to do if you experience tingling from vitamins

If you suspect that your supplement regimen is causing tingling or other neurological symptoms, the first and most crucial step is to cease taking the suspected supplement(s). Many people find that their symptoms improve within weeks of stopping supplementation, though in severe cases of B6 toxicity, some nerve damage can be permanent. Next, consult with a healthcare professional to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. A doctor may perform blood tests to check your vitamin levels, review your supplement history, and conduct a neurological exam to assess the severity of nerve damage. It is important to disclose all over-the-counter supplements you are taking, as many contain hidden vitamins.

Conclusion: Safe Supplementation is Key

While many people believe that more vitamins are always better, the reality is that excessive intake can have serious consequences, including peripheral neuropathy characterized by tingling and numbness. The most significant risk comes from chronic, high-dose supplementation of vitamin B6, but overdoses of vitamins D and B12 can also cause nerve-related issues. The key to safe supplementation is moderation and awareness. Always check the labels of all your supplements to monitor your total intake and speak with a healthcare provider before beginning any new regimen. For more comprehensive information on vitamin safety, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Dietary Supplements is a valuable resource. By being vigilant and informed, you can harness the benefits of vitamins while avoiding the risks of toxicity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Excessive intake of vitamin B6 is the most common cause of vitamin-induced tingling, which is a symptom of peripheral neuropathy.

Yes, many multivitamins contain high doses of vitamin B6, and taking multiple supplements that contain B6 can lead to a toxic accumulation over time, causing tingling.

While toxicity can occur at varying doses, prolonged intake of vitamin B6 above 250 mg per day is often linked to nerve damage, though some individuals may experience symptoms at lower doses, even below 50 mg.

Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage in the extremities, typically caused by excessive vitamin B6 intake, leading to tingling, numbness, and pain.

While high doses of vitamin B12 are generally considered safe, long-term, extremely high supplementation, often via injections, can potentially cause tingling and nerve damage.

Yes, an overdose of vitamin D can lead to hypercalcemia, or high blood calcium, which can cause neurological symptoms like numbness and tingling.

Stop taking the suspected supplements immediately and consult with a healthcare professional. A doctor can help determine the cause of your symptoms and create a safe treatment plan.