Does B12 Help with Chills? Understanding the Link to Deficiency

December 28, 2025 •

4 min read

According to numerous health resources, a deficiency in vitamin B12 can profoundly impact your body's ability to regulate its temperature, often leading to persistent feelings of coldness or chills. So, does B12 help with chills? For those whose symptoms stem from a confirmed deficiency, proper treatment can indeed offer significant relief.

Quick Summary

A vitamin B12 deficiency can impair oxygen transport via red blood cells, potentially causing chronic chills. Addressing a diagnosed deficiency can help alleviate this symptom.

Key Points

Deficiency Connection: A B12 deficiency can cause chills by leading to anemia, which impairs oxygen transport and affects body temperature regulation.
Anemia's Role: Megaloblastic anemia from B12 deficiency results in fewer healthy red blood cells, leading to poor circulation, particularly in the extremities.
Not a Cure-All: B12 supplementation will only help with chills if the symptoms are caused by a diagnosed B12 deficiency. It does not benefit those with normal levels.
Medical Diagnosis is Key: Because many conditions, including infections, thyroid issues, and anxiety, can cause chills, a doctor's diagnosis is essential to determine the correct treatment.
Treatment Options: Confirmed B12 deficiency is treated with oral supplements, injections, or dietary changes, which can resolve the underlying cause of the chills.
Holistic Approach: Managing chills may also involve lifestyle factors like staying hydrated, wearing warm clothing, and managing stress, alongside medical treatment.

The Connection Between Vitamin B12 and Chills

Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is a crucial nutrient that plays a pivotal role in several bodily functions, including the production of red blood cells. When the body does not have enough B12, it cannot produce a sufficient number of healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body's tissues and organs. Without adequate oxygen delivery, your body's metabolic rate can slow down, and its ability to generate and maintain warmth can be compromised, leading to feelings of coldness and chills.

The Role of Anemia in Temperature Regulation

One of the most significant consequences of a prolonged B12 deficiency is megaloblastic anemia, a condition where red blood cells become abnormally large and are unable to function properly. This form of anemia directly contributes to the sensation of feeling cold. The lack of functional red blood cells means that oxygenated blood is not circulating as efficiently, particularly to the body's extremities, such as the hands and feet. This circulatory impairment can cause you to feel persistently cold, even in warm environments, and may manifest as frequent shivering or chills.

Other Potential Causes of Chills

While a B12 deficiency is a possible cause for unexplained chills, it is far from the only one. A healthcare professional can help you determine the underlying reason, as treatment will vary depending on the diagnosis. Other common causes include:

Infections: Both viral and bacterial infections, such as the flu, pneumonia, or even a common cold, can trigger chills and shivering as your body's immune system attempts to raise its temperature to fight off pathogens.
Hypothyroidism: An underactive thyroid gland, or hypothyroidism, can slow down your metabolism, leading to a host of symptoms including an increased sensitivity to cold.
Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia): A sudden drop in blood glucose levels, particularly in individuals with diabetes, can cause shaking, weakness, and chills.
Anxiety and Stress: Intense emotional reactions, such as those experienced during a panic attack, can cause physical symptoms like shivering due to the release of adrenaline.
Certain Medications: Some drugs, including certain antibiotics and antidepressants, can have chills as a side effect.
Malnutrition: A general lack of adequate nutrition can affect the body's overall function and temperature regulation.

A Comparison of Chill-Causing Conditions


Condition	Associated Symptoms	Key Mechanism	Treatment Implications
Vitamin B12 Deficiency	Fatigue, weakness, pale skin, sore tongue, neurological issues.	Lack of red blood cells impairs oxygen circulation and metabolism.	B12 supplements or injections to restore healthy red blood cell production.
Infection	Fever, body aches, sore throat, cough, fatigue.	Immune system raises body temperature to fight pathogens.	Rest, fluids, and sometimes antibiotics for bacterial infections.
Hypothyroidism	Weight gain, fatigue, dry skin, constipation.	Underactive thyroid slows metabolism.	Hormone replacement therapy, as prescribed by a doctor.
Hypoglycemia	Sweating, dizziness, fast heartbeat, hunger.	Low blood sugar levels disrupt normal bodily functions.	Consuming a source of fast-acting sugar to raise blood glucose.
Anxiety	Rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, trembling, sweating.	Adrenaline rush impacts the nervous system.	Relaxation techniques, therapy, or medication, depending on severity.

Diagnosing and Treating a B12 Deficiency

If you experience persistent, unexplained chills, it is crucial to consult a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis. A simple blood test can determine your vitamin B12 levels, along with other indicators like homocysteine and methylmalonic acid (MMA), to confirm a deficiency. Treating a deficiency is straightforward and highly effective.

Supplementation: For mild to moderate deficiencies, oral vitamin B12 supplements are often prescribed. These are available in various forms, including tablets, sublingual drops, and sprays.
Injections: In cases of severe deficiency or malabsorption issues (such as pernicious anemia), B12 injections may be necessary to bypass the digestive system and ensure direct absorption into the bloodstream.
Dietary Changes: Increasing your intake of animal products like meat, fish, and dairy, which are rich in B12, can help address a deficiency stemming from diet. Vegans may need fortified foods or supplements to ensure adequate intake.

How B12 Supplements Work

Oral B12 supplements, typically containing cyanocobalamin or methylcobalamin, provide the body with the necessary nutrient it can't get or absorb from diet alone. For many, simply taking these supplements restores B12 levels, resolves the anemia, and in turn, alleviates the associated symptoms like chills. While supplementation is effective, it should only be done under medical guidance, especially if an underlying absorption issue is suspected.

A Holistic Approach to Alleviating Chills

Beyond treating the root cause, a comprehensive approach to managing chills may include several lifestyle adjustments. For instance, ensuring you stay well-hydrated is essential, as dehydration can affect temperature regulation. Wearing layered clothing and maintaining a consistent indoor temperature can also help manage discomfort. Finally, if stress or anxiety are contributing factors, integrating relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation may be beneficial.

Conclusion

In summary, the answer to "does B12 help with chills?" is yes, but only if the chills are caused by a B12 deficiency. A lack of this vital vitamin impairs red blood cell production, leading to anemia and poor oxygen circulation, which can cause chronic feelings of coldness. For those with a confirmed deficiency, proper medical treatment, including supplementation or injections, can be very effective in resolving this symptom. However, since many different conditions can cause chills, it is crucial to consult a doctor for a correct diagnosis. Without a confirmed deficiency, B12 supplements are unlikely to help. Seeking professional advice ensures you receive the right treatment for your specific health needs.

For more information on the functions and benefits of Vitamin B12, consider visiting the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-Consumer/.

Frequently Asked Questions

A deficiency in vitamin B12 can lead to anemia, a condition where your body lacks enough healthy red blood cells. These cells are needed to transport oxygen throughout your body. Without sufficient oxygen, your metabolic rate can slow, and your body's ability to maintain a normal temperature is compromised, causing you to feel cold or experience chills.

While B12 deficiency-induced anemia is the primary cause for feeling cold, B12 deficiency can also cause neurological issues that might contribute to temperature regulation problems, even in people who have not yet developed full-blown anemia. Neurological symptoms often associated with B12 deficiency include tingling or numbness in the hands and feet.

B12 supplementation will only resolve chills if they are directly caused by a B12 deficiency. If your chills are due to another health issue, such as an infection, thyroid problem, or anxiety, taking B12 will likely not help. It is crucial to get a proper medical diagnosis before self-treating.

In addition to a feeling of coldness or chills, symptoms of a B12 deficiency can include fatigue, pale or yellowish skin, a smooth and sore tongue (glossitis), heart palpitations, weakness, and neurological problems like numbness and memory issues.

A B12 deficiency is diagnosed through blood tests that measure the level of vitamin B12 in your blood. In some cases, a doctor may also check for levels of related metabolic products, such as homocysteine and MMA, for confirmation.

Yes. Individuals at higher risk include older adults, vegans and vegetarians (as B12 is found primarily in animal products), people with pernicious anemia (which impairs B12 absorption), those who have had gastric surgery, and people with conditions like Crohn's disease.

For those with malabsorption issues, B12 injections are the fastest and most effective way to correct a severe deficiency. For others, oral supplements or dietary changes, under a doctor's supervision, can effectively raise B12 levels over time.