Which Vitamin Deficiency Causes Leg Nerve Pain?

November 15, 2025 •

4 min read

Peripheral neuropathy, a condition characterized by nerve damage, is estimated to affect around 2.4% of the global population, with that number rising significantly in older adults. This can cause uncomfortable symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and sharp pain, especially in the legs and feet. A common and often overlooked cause is a nutritional imbalance, raising the critical question: which vitamin deficiency causes leg nerve pain?.

Quick Summary

Several vitamin deficiencies can cause nerve pain in the legs, most notably vitamin B12. Other implicated nutrients include vitamin B1, vitamin B6 (both excess and deficiency), and vitamin D. These deficiencies disrupt normal nerve function by damaging the protective myelin sheath or interfering with nerve signaling. Identifying and treating the specific deficiency is crucial for managing symptoms and preventing permanent nerve damage.

Key Points

Vitamin B12 is a primary cause: A deficiency in vitamin B12 is a leading nutritional cause of peripheral neuropathy, leading to pain, numbness, and tingling in the legs by damaging the myelin sheath around nerves.
Other B vitamins are also involved: Deficiencies in B1, B6, and B9 can also contribute to nerve pain due to their critical roles in nerve energy and neurotransmitter function.
Excess B6 is also harmful: It's important to note that consuming too much vitamin B6 through supplements can cause nerve damage and neuropathy, in contrast to deficiencies of other B vitamins.
Vitamin D deficiency can indirectly contribute: Low vitamin D levels can cause bone and muscle weakness, which can compress nerves and lead to pain, though its role is less direct than B12.
Iron deficiency is a potential factor: In severe cases, iron deficiency can be linked to peripheral neuropathy, potentially by impairing myelination and nerve impulse conduction.
Diagnosis is key for treatment: A medical professional should diagnose the specific deficiency via blood tests to recommend the correct treatment, which may include supplements or addressing underlying malabsorption issues.

The Connection Between Vitamin Deficiency and Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition resulting from damage to the peripheral nerves, which are located outside of the brain and spinal cord. This damage can cause pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling, often starting in the feet and hands. While many factors can contribute to peripheral neuropathy, vitamin deficiencies are a significant and treatable cause. The B-complex vitamins, crucial for nerve health, are frequently implicated when levels are too low.

The Critical Role of Vitamin B12

Among the various vitamins, a deficiency of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is one of the most common nutritional causes of peripheral neuropathy. B12 is essential for the formation and maintenance of the myelin sheath, a protective layer that insulates nerve fibers and ensures proper electrical signal transmission. Without enough B12, this sheath can break down, causing nerve damage and neurological symptoms.

Symptoms of a B12 deficiency can include:

Numbness or tingling (a pins and needles sensation) in the hands, legs, and feet
Difficulty with balance and walking
Muscle weakness
Fatigue and weakness
Cognitive difficulties and memory loss

Causes of B12 deficiency range from dietary issues, such as strict veganism, to malabsorption disorders like pernicious anemia, Crohn's disease, or gastric surgeries.

Other B Vitamins and Nerve Health

Several other B vitamins are vital for nerve function, and their deficiency can also cause nerve pain.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine): Critical for energy metabolism within nerve cells. Chronic alcoholism is a major cause of thiamine deficiency and associated nerve damage.
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine): This vitamin is involved in synthesizing neurotransmitters and maintaining nerve health. Interestingly, both deficiency and an excess of B6 can lead to peripheral neuropathy. Toxicity from high doses is a known cause of nerve damage.
Vitamin B9 (Folate/Folic Acid): A deficiency can contribute to peripheral neuropathy and is sometimes associated with restless legs syndrome. Folate works closely with B12, and a deficiency in one can impact the other.

The Impact of Vitamin D on Nerve Pain

While the link is not as direct as with B12, insufficient levels of vitamin D are also associated with nerve pain. Vitamin D is important for bone health and muscle function. A deficiency can cause muscle and bone weakness, which may put extra pressure on nerves, such as the sciatic nerve. Research also suggests vitamin D has neuroprotective properties and helps regulate inflammation. Low vitamin D levels have been linked to an increased risk of diabetic neuropathy and other forms of nerve dysfunction.

A Comparative Look at Deficiencies and Neuropathy


Vitamin	Primary Neurological Function	Role in Leg Nerve Pain	Treatment for Deficiency
Vitamin B12	Myelin sheath maintenance and nerve fiber regeneration	Causes demyelination, leading to pins and needles, numbness, and pain in the legs	Supplements (oral or injections), dietary changes
Vitamin D	Calcium absorption, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotection	Weakens bones and muscles, which can compress nerves and increase nerve pain	Sun exposure, supplements, fortified foods
Vitamin B6	Neurotransmitter synthesis, nerve signal transmission	Deficiency or excess can cause peripheral neuropathy symptoms like burning, shooting pain, and balance issues	Adjusting intake via diet or supplements, monitoring dosage
Vitamin B1	Energy metabolism in nerve cells	Deficiency can lead to nerve degeneration and peripheral neuropathy, common in alcoholism	Supplements, particularly benfotiamine, treating underlying cause
Iron	Myelination, nerve impulse conduction, neurotransmitter synthesis	Can cause peripheral neuropathy, restless legs syndrome, and muscle weakness in severe cases	Iron replacement therapy, dietary iron, managing malabsorption

Diagnosis and Treatment

If you suspect a vitamin deficiency is causing your leg nerve pain, a medical diagnosis is the first and most important step. A healthcare provider can order blood tests to check levels of relevant nutrients like vitamin B12, B6, and D. Addressing the underlying cause is crucial; for instance, a B12 deficiency due to pernicious anemia may require injections rather than just oral supplements. A registered dietitian can also assist in creating a balanced diet plan to ensure adequate intake.

Conclusion

Leg nerve pain resulting from vitamin deficiency is a significant and often reversible condition. Vitamin B12 is the primary culprit, causing nerve damage through demyelination. However, deficiencies in vitamins B1, B6, and D, as well as excess vitamin B6, can also play a role. A proper medical evaluation and a targeted treatment plan, which may include dietary changes and supplementation, are essential for relieving symptoms and protecting long-term nerve health. Don't ignore persistent nerve pain; consult a healthcare professional to identify and address the root cause and ensure a path toward recovery. For more information on nutritional deficiencies, consider resources from the National Institutes of Health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, low vitamin B12 can cause shooting, burning, or tingling pain in the legs, as it is vital for maintaining the protective myelin sheath around nerves. When this sheath is damaged, it can cause nerve dysfunction and lead to peripheral neuropathy.

The first signs often include a tingling or 'pins and needles' sensation in the hands and feet. As the deficiency progresses, numbness, muscle weakness, and difficulty with balance may also appear.

Yes, a vitamin D deficiency can cause nerve pain, though often indirectly. Low levels can lead to muscle and bone weakness, which may put pressure on nerves like the sciatic nerve. Vitamin D also has a neuroprotective effect, and low levels can increase the risk of neuropathy, particularly in individuals with conditions like diabetes.

Yes, it is possible. Unlike other vitamin deficiencies, an excess intake of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), usually from high-dose supplements, is known to cause peripheral neuropathy. It is important to monitor B6 intake and consult a doctor before supplementing.

You cannot self-diagnose the cause of your leg pain. A healthcare professional can perform a physical examination and order blood tests to check your vitamin levels, especially B12, B6, and D, and rule out other potential causes of peripheral neuropathy.

To help repair nerve damage caused by deficiencies, focus on a diet rich in B vitamins. Good sources include meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy for B12. For other B vitamins, add leafy greens, whole grains, nuts, and legumes. For vitamin D, consume fatty fish and fortified dairy, and get regular sun exposure.

Treatment involves correcting the specific vitamin deficiency. For B12 deficiency, this may involve high-dose oral supplements or injections, especially for malabsorption issues. For other deficiencies, dietary changes and standard supplementation are typically effective. A doctor will determine the best course of action based on the specific diagnosis.