Irritability
Vitamin B deficiency can result in irritability. A deficiency in vitamin B1, also known as thiamine, can cause feelings of anxiety and irritability. Thiamine is important to a variety of bodily functions, including the production of hydrochloric acid, which keeps your stomach from digesting itself. If you’re not producing enough hydrochloric acid, your stomach won’t be able to break down nutrients like protein and fat properly. Vitamin B1 deficiency can also lead to beriberi, a condition affecting the heart and nervous system. Symptoms of beriberi include headache, weakness, tingling in the extremities (the hands and feet), weight loss, and edema (fluid retention).
In addition to thiamine deficiency, symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency can include irritability. This is because the body uses vitamin B12 to make red blood cells, so low B12 can lead to anemia. Anemia causes fatigue, pale skin, and shortness of breath—symptoms that can all contribute to feelings of irritability in addition to causing other health problems.
To determine whether your irritability is due to a vitamin deficiency, consult your doctor for a full physical exam.
