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Vitamin Deficiency Vs. Depression: Key Differences You Should Know

Written By Isra Zaman - June 20, 2025

Read Time - 4 Mins

Have you been feeling a little “off” lately? Or are you constantly battling low energy, mood swings, and fatigue, but can’t quite figure out why? The answer might lie not just in your mind, but also on your plate.

When it comes to vitamin deficiency vs. depression, the symptoms can look surprisingly similar. And while both can lead to mood dips, lethargy, and a lack of motivation, their causes and treatment plans are very different. Misreading the signs can lead to the wrong course of treatment and delay recovery.

In this blog, we’ll help you distinguish between the two, so you can better understand what your body is really trying to tell you. So dive in.

Understanding Depression & Its Common Causes

According to the WHO, depression is a common mental disorder that involves a depressed mood or loss of pleasure or interest in activities for long periods. Not only does depression make you sad, but it also causes difficulty with thinking, memory, eating and sleeping.¹

While temporary spells of sadness are normal under certain circumstances (such as losing something dear), a persistent feeling that lasts for at least a fortnight or more may be categorised as depression.²

Depression can worsen without proper treatment, leading to self-harm tendencies & even suicide. So it’s important to identify it as soon as possible and take corrective action. Under proper care and medical supervision, the symptoms can be managed effectively.²

Common Symptoms Of Depression

Here are a few common signs and symptoms of depression:²

Feeling worried, sad, or not having hope
Not enjoying things that were earlier enjoyable.
Getting irritated or frustrated easily.
Eating too much or too little, resulting in weight gain or weight loss.
Having difficulty sleeping (insomnia) or sleeping too much (hypersomnia).
Feeling fatigued
Having a difficult time concentrating, making decisions or recollecting things.
Experiencing health issues such as headache, stomach pain or sexual dysfunction.
Having thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

Uncovering The Causes Of Depression

Depression can have several underlying causes. Let’s look at some of them below:²

Imbalance In Brain Chemistry

Depression often occurs as a result of disrupted levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.

Genetics

Having a parent or sibling with depression increases your likelihood of depression by 300%.

Unpleasant Life Events

Trauma, loss, or prolonged stress due to personal or professional struggles can trigger depression.

Medical History

Certain health conditions, such as diabetes, can heighten your risk of depression.

Certain Drugs

Depression can also result as a side effect of certain medications or alcohol.

Understanding Vitamin Deficiencies

Vitamin deficiencies can sometimes cause symptoms that appear similar to depression. Some of these vitamins include:

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin which your body can’t make on its own. So, it needs to be taken with diet and drinks. The vitamin helps to keep your body cells, including the nerve cells, healthy.³

Vitamin B12 is found in meat, dairy, eggs, fortified foods, certain cereals, bread, and nutritional yeast. As an adult, your body needs about 2.4 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin B12 a day. This requirement is a bit higher for pregnant and breastfeeding women.³

A Vitamin B12 deficiency occurs when you don’t take enough of it in your diet or your body does not absorb it properly. This deficiency may cause a few symptoms like:³

Fatigue or weakness
Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
Appetite loss & weight loss
A sore in the mouth or tongue
Skin yellowing
Numbness or tingling in your hands and feet.
Vision problems
Confusion and memory problems
Difficulty in walking or speaking
Depression and irritability
Change in feelings and behaviour

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is another vital vitamin that your body needs for maintaining healthy bones and muscles. It’s also essential for the smooth functioning of the nervous system and immune system.⁴

You can get vitamin D through sun exposure, diet and supplementation. Inadequate dietary intake and lack of absorption in the body can lead to Vitamin D deficiency. The deficiency may also occur due to certain medicines, medical conditions or weight loss surgeries.⁴

The symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include:⁴

Bent bones
Poor growth patterns
Muscle weakness
Bone pain
Joint deformities
Fatigue
Muscle weakness, muscle aches or muscle cramps
Mood changes, like depression

Folate

Your body needs folate (vitamin B9) to make new red blood cells and DNA. It is especially important during pregnancy to support a healthy pregnancy.⁵

Many food items like leafy greens, citrus fruits, nuts, beans, peas, seafood, eggs, dairy, meat, poultry and grains are good sources of folate. You can also take it through fortified foods or dietary supplements.⁵

Folate deficiency can occur due to an unbalanced diet, malabsorption in the body, overcooking fruits and vegetables, certain medications and medical treatments. The symptoms of folate deficiency include:⁵

Paleness.
Breathlessness
Irritability
Dizziness
Redness & tenderness in the tongue
Mouth sores or mouth ulcers
Reduced sense of taste
Memory loss
Difficulty concentrating
Confusion
Problems with judgment
Lack of energy.
Muscle weakness
Depression
Weight loss
Diarrhea

Iron

Iron is needed by the body to make haemoglobin—a protein that helps to carry oxygen throughout the body. Iron-rich foods such as beans, red meat, beef or chicken livers and dark leafy greens are essential for maintaining a healthy iron level in our bodies.⁶

A deficiency of iron, also known as anaemia, can cause symptoms like:⁶

Fatigue
Headaches
Irritability
Muscle cramps
Pale skin
Weird food cravings
Shortness of breath
Sore tongue
Spoon-shaped fingernails and toenails
Fast heart rate

Now that you know, a deficiency of vitamins and minerals can cause symptoms which are similar to depression. Let’s look at these common symptoms below.

Vitamin Deficiency Vs. Depression: Overlapping Symptoms

Here’s a list of symptoms which are common to both vitamin deficiency and depression:

Fatigue
Irritability
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Confusion
Concentration Issues
Problems with digestion

It can be quite tricky to tell the difference between a vitamin deficiency and depression. So, how can you know for sure? Let’s find out.

Ayushman Wellness Panel: Your First Step to Clarity

To understand the root cause behind your mental health concerns, one of the most effective steps is to get a comprehensive check of your vitamin profile. Consider LifeCell’s Ayushman Wellness Panel, which includes 88 full-body tests, with special emphasis on vitamins & electrolytes.

You can conveniently book the test online. A LifeCell paramedic will visit your home for sample collection, following all necessary biosafety protocols. Within 24-48 hours, you'll receive your digital SMART report, which will be expert-verified and easy to understand.

Along with detailed results, the report includes personalised recommendations and self-monitoring guidance. That said, it’s always best to discuss the report with your doctor for a confirmatory diagnosis & proper treatment.

If your symptoms are resulting from a vitamin deficiency, the doctor may prescribe supplements and dietary changes (to begin with). And if the levels are normal, they may refer you to a mental health specialist to better manage your psychological symptoms.

Summing Up

If you’ve reached this far, you would have understood how difficult it can be to distinguish between vitamin deficiency and depression. So, the next time you feel unusually tired or worried, don’t just shrug off the symptoms. Doing so may not only delay treatment but also worsen the existing problem.

Instead, book a comprehensive vitamin deficiency screening test, such as the Ayushman Wellness Panel & get clarity within 48 hours. To learn more, call 18002665533.