Tired, anxious and unfocused? Doctor shares it could be a sign of hidden vitamin deficiencies

When your body lacks key nutrients, it can affect your mood and energy in a big way. (Picture Credit: Pexels)

Feeling fatigued or low is often brushed off as just life wearing you down. But experts say that sometimes tiredness, low mood and poor focus are caused by a simple vitamin deficiency. When your body lacks key nutrients, it can affect your mood and energy in a way that looks a lot like anxiety or depression.

“Many people today, convince themselves that they’re battling stress or burnout, says Pathologist Dr Akash Shah, Vice President–Technical, Neuberg Diagnostics. “But sometimes the real culprit is just a deficiency of Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, folate or iron,” the doctor adds. These nutrients are the building blocks your brain relies on to stay sharp, calm and emotionally stable. When they’re in short supply, the mind reacts.

It’s surprising how easily these symptoms get mistaken for mental health issues. “A dip in Vitamin D, common among people who rarely step out in the sun, can pull down your mood in the same way seasonal depression does,” says Dr Shah, adding, “Low B12 or folate slows the production of serotonin and dopamine, the natural 'feel-good' messengers.” This leaves you irritable, flat or emotionally drained. “Moreover, iron deficiency too can cause fatigue, confusion and a level of tiredness that sleep simply can’t fix," he stressed.

Iron deficiency can make you so exhausted that even a full night’s sleep doesn’t lift the fog. “People describe it as walking through wet sand,” notes Dr Shah.

Low B12 and folate interrupt the brain’s ability to regulate mood, often mimicking mild depression.

When serotonin dips due to nutrient shortages, your mind may feel unsettled, overactive or unusually tense.

Vitamin D, iron and B12 deficiencies can all cloud thinking, making daily tasks feel strangely overwhelming.

Many people spend months believing they’re stressed, when the issue lies in a simple biological gap.

Wellness genomic tests can reveal whether your body struggles to absorb certain nutrients, a hidden factor behind persistent symptoms.

“Sometimes the true remedy isn’t a new routine, therapy session or life change. It may simply be restoring what your body has been missing all along," he says. He also adds, “A few well-guided supplements, better food choices and the right tests can bring clarity, energy and emotional balance back into your everyday life.”

1. What causes vitamin deficiencies?

Poor diet, limited sunlight, medical conditions, or poor absorption can lead to deficiencies.

Fatigue, weak immunity, hair loss, muscle weakness, and poor skin health.

Vitamin D, B12, folate, and vitamin A are among the most common.

Yes. Children may face growth issues, while adults may experience fatigue and bone problems.

Eat a balanced diet, get regular sunlight, and take supplements only when advised by a doctor.