What Vitamin Deficiency Makes You Hot? Uncovering the Causes

December 30, 2025 •

4 min read

According to research published in the Scottish Medical Journal, vitamin B12 deficiency has been linked to night sweats. Vitamin B12 is most prominently associated with disrupted body temperature, which sometimes results in feeling unusually hot.

Quick Summary

This article explores the connection between nutritional deficiencies and feelings of heat. It details how low levels of vitamin B12, vitamin D, and magnesium can disrupt the body's ability to regulate its temperature, potentially leading to hot flashes and night sweats.

Key Points

Vitamin B12 as a primary cause: A deficiency can damage the autonomic nervous system, leading to poor temperature regulation and causing night sweats, heat intolerance, or a burning sensation.
Magnesium deficiency and sweating: Low magnesium levels can affect nerve and muscle function, potentially causing excessive sweat gland activity and exacerbating menopausal hot flashes.
Vitamin D and menopausal hot flashes: In postmenopausal women, lower vitamin D levels have been associated with a higher risk of experiencing hot flashes.
Anemia affects circulation: The anemia that can result from B12 deficiency may disrupt overall circulation, contributing to a feeling of temperature dysregulation.
Other factors: Hormonal changes (menopause, thyroid issues), stress, medication side effects, and underlying health conditions can also cause a person to feel unusually hot.
Professional consultation: Consulting a healthcare professional is crucial for proper diagnosis. They can determine the cause of any heat-related symptoms and recommend proper treatment.

The Link Between Vitamin B12 and Feeling Hot

Internal imbalances can be a factor when experiencing sensations of heat, alongside environmental elements. A deficiency in vitamin B12 is one of the most frequently mentioned nutritional causes for feelings of heat or burning sensations. This water-soluble vitamin is essential for nerve health and red blood cell production. A severe B12 deficiency can lead to autonomic neuropathy, which affects nerves that regulate body temperature.

The autonomic nervous system controls functions like heart rate, digestion, and body temperature. An impaired system due to B12 deficiency can cause inappropriate or exaggerated responses, manifesting as night sweats, heat intolerance, or a localized burning sensation. This is caused by the body's inability to regulate itself properly.

Why Vitamin B12 Deficiency Leads to Heat Symptoms

Nerve Damage: B12 is vital for maintaining the myelin sheath, the protective layer around nerves, which can lead to nerve damage, impacting the nerves that control sweating and blood vessel constriction.
Red Blood Cell Production: B12 is critical for producing healthy red blood cells, which can lead to anemia, reducing the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. This can contribute to a wider systemic dysfunction that impacts overall temperature regulation.
Autonomic Dysfunction: The core issue lies in the compromised autonomic nervous system, which can cause the body to initiate cooling mechanisms, such as sweating and vasodilation, at inappropriate times or with excessive force.

Other Nutritional Connections to Temperature Dysregulation

While B12 is a primary suspect, other vitamins and minerals also influence the body's thermoregulation. The body's systems are interconnected, and a deficiency in one area can lead to problems elsewhere.

Magnesium: This mineral is involved in over 300 biochemical reactions, including nerve function and muscle relaxation. A deficiency can be linked to excessive sweating, as sweat glands depend on magnesium to relax. Athletes and individuals under high stress are particularly susceptible to magnesium loss through sweat. For post-menopausal women, low estrogen levels can lead to magnesium deficiency, which can exacerbate hot flashes and night sweats.
Vitamin D: Known for its role in bone health and immune function, vitamin D also influences inflammation and stress response. A 2020 study found a significant association between decreased vitamin D levels and hot flashes in postmenopausal women. Its role in overall stress response and hormone modulation can play a part in heat sensations.
Vitamin B6: Some research suggests an inverse relationship between dietary intake of Vitamin B6 and the severity of hot flashes and night sweats in middle-aged women. Like B12, B6 is a B-complex vitamin involved in nerve and immune function, so its deficiency can disrupt normal bodily processes.

Comparison of Vitamin Deficiencies and Their Impact on Feeling Hot


Feature	Vitamin B12 Deficiency	Magnesium Deficiency	Vitamin D Deficiency
Mechanism	Disrupts autonomic nervous system, leading to improper temperature regulation and nerve signals.	Affects nerve and muscle function, potentially causing excessive sweating due to compromised sweat gland relaxation.	Linked to inflammation and stress response, potentially influencing menopausal hot flashes.
Key Symptoms	Night sweats, localized burning sensations, heat intolerance, and fatigue.	Excessive sweating, muscle cramps, restless legs, and irritability.	Associated with hot flashes, fatigue, bone pain, and muscle weakness.
At-Risk Groups	Elderly, vegans/vegetarians, those with digestive issues (e.g., Crohn's, pernicious anemia).	Athletes, individuals under stress, post-menopausal women, and those with poor diet.	Individuals with low sun exposure, older adults, and those with malabsorption issues.
Solution	Supplementation (oral or injections), dietary changes (animal products).	Dietary adjustments (nuts, seeds, leafy greens), or supplementation.	Increased sun exposure, fortified foods, and supplementation.

Beyond Deficiency: Other Potential Causes of Feeling Hot

Nutritional deficiencies are not the only cause of feelings of being hot, as other health conditions and lifestyle factors can contribute to temperature dysregulation.

Hormonal Changes: Menopause is a well-known cause of hot flashes due to fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone levels. Thyroid disorders, particularly hyperthyroidism, can also cause a person to feel constantly hot due to an overproduction of thyroid hormones.
Stress and Anxiety: Psychological stress can trigger the body's fight-or-flight response, increasing heart rate and blood flow, which can lead to a sensation of being hot or excessively sweating.
Medication Side Effects: Certain medications, including some antidepressants and blood pressure medications, can interfere with the body’s thermoregulation.
Infections: As the body fights off a bacterial or viral infection, it intentionally raises its temperature, leading to a fever and the sensation of being hot.
Neurological Conditions: Other neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis can disrupt the autonomic nervous system and cause sudden episodes of feeling hot.

Conclusion

Vitamin B12 deficiency is most frequently linked to feelings of heat, as it can disrupt the nervous system's ability to regulate body temperature. Deficiencies in magnesium and vitamin D can also contribute to symptoms like excessive sweating and hot flashes. Consulting a healthcare provider is essential when experiencing persistent feelings of being hot. A diagnosis can determine whether the cause is nutritional, hormonal, or related to another underlying health issue, guiding the correct course of action. Self-treatment with supplements without professional assessment may not resolve the core problem.

For more information, visit the Cleveland Clinic website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, vitamin B12 deficiency can disrupt the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary bodily functions like sweating. This can lead to excessive sweating, particularly night sweats, as the body struggles to regulate its temperature.

Magnesium is vital for nerve and muscle function, including the relaxation of sweat glands. A deficiency can lead to hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) and exacerbate symptoms like hot flashes, especially in post-menopausal women.

Yes, studies have shown an association between lower levels of vitamin D and an increased risk and severity of hot flashes in postmenopausal women. While the exact mechanism is complex, vitamin D plays a role in hormonal balance and inflammation.

Autonomic neuropathy is a form of nerve damage that affects the nerves controlling involuntary functions like heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. A severe vitamin B12 deficiency is a potential cause, leading to heat intolerance and sweating problems.

While less directly linked than B12, deficiencies in other nutrients like Vitamin B6 have been inversely associated with the severity of hot flashes. Overall nutritional health is critical for proper bodily function, including thermoregulation.

Consult a doctor if you experience persistent or unexplained feelings of being hot, excessive sweating, or heat intolerance. This is especially important if symptoms are accompanied by other signs of deficiency like fatigue, nerve issues, or weight changes.

A doctor can diagnose a vitamin deficiency through a physical exam and blood tests. These tests can measure the levels of specific vitamins, like B12, and check for associated conditions like anemia.