Vitamin B12

Does vitamin B12 help nerve pain in diabetes?

Updated 3 Nov 2026

Short answer

The evidence is mixed. A 2020 review of 15 trials in nerve damage from diabetes or shingles found more overall improvement with methylcobalamin, a form of B12, but no effect on pain scores. Most of the trials had a high risk of bias.[1] A 1-year trial included 90 people with nerve damage who took metformin and had B12 below 400 pmol/L. Nerve tests and pain improved with 1,000 µg a day and got worse with placebo.[2] The protocol for diabetic nerve damage lists the trial doses.

Sources (2)

  1. Efficacy and Safety of Mecobalamin on Peripheral Neuropathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Sawangjit R, Thongphui S, Chaichompu W, Phumart P J Altern Complement Med, 2020. PMID 32716261
  2. Vitamin B12 Supplementation in Diabetic Neuropathy: A 1-Year, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Didangelos T, Karlafti E, Kotzakioulafi E, Margariti E, Giannoulaki P, Batanis G, et al. Nutrients, 2021. PMID 33513879

More about vitamin b12

What is vitamin B12?Who is likely to be low in vitamin B12?What is vitamin B12 used for?Which foods contain vitamin B12?Is vitamin B12 safe?How long does vitamin B12 take to work?

For education; not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before you start, stop or change a supplement.