In a study published in the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, obsessive compulsive disorder as an early manifestation of a B12 deficiency was investigated.
The study noted: “B12 acts as a cofactor in synthesis of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, thus B12 deficiency affects mood, emotions and sleeping and can lead to psychiatric disorders.
“A case report of a 29-year-old female came with anxiety and history of OCD for 11 years ago and had a history of menorrhagia.
“History taking revealed anxiety, changes in mood and OCD.
“Further investigations showed mild anaemia and markedly diminished serum cobalamin level to and also iron deficiency with significantly decreased ferritin level.
“The association between B12 deficiency and iron deficiency in this case was our explanation to her anaemia.