Vitamin Deficiencies Linked to Carpal Tunnel: Clinical Evidence
What vitamin deficiency causes carpal tunnel?
The Quick Answer
**Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) deficiency** is most strongly associated with carpal tunnel-like symptoms—though true deficiency rarely causes isolated carpal tunnel. More commonly, **vitamin D deficiency** correlates with increased carpal tunnel severity and pain intensity. Correcting deficiencies may improve symptoms but won't resolve structural compression. Always test levels before supplementing—excess B6 (>100mg/day) can itself cause neuropathy.
Why We Ask This
Patients seek simple nutritional fixes for carpal tunnel, delaying proven treatments while megadosing supplements that may worsen nerve function—particularly dangerous with unmonitored B6 supplementation that causes sensory neuropathy mimicking carpal tunnel progression.
The Practical Science
Vitamin B6 is a cofactor in neurotransmitter synthesis; deficiency causes peripheral neuropathy with overlapping symptoms. Vitamin D modulates inflammatory pathways—low levels correlate with increased TNF-alpha in carpal tunnel tissue. Neither deficiency directly causes median nerve compression but may lower symptom threshold or worsen pain perception.
In Clinical Practice
A patient with carpal tunnel and vitamin D level of 18 ng/mL begins 2000 IU daily supplementation alongside nighttime splinting—reporting 30% pain reduction at 8 weeks versus splinting alone, though nerve conduction studies show unchanged compression severity—suggesting pain modulation rather than structural improvement.
References & Context
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