What could be causing my body to twitch involuntarily?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Involuntary body twitches are sudden, uncontrolled muscle movements that can affect anyone. Common causes include certain medications, high stress levels, and vitamin B12 deficiency. Interestingly, correcting a B12 deficiency can also temporarily trigger these movements as the body adjusts.

Because twitches can stem from many different underlying issues—some minor, others requiring medical attention—it's important to understand what may be driving your symptoms. Taking a free, instant, online symptom check can help you identify possible causes and guide your next steps with confidence.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/20/2026

Important Next Steps

Discover why body twitches happen Learn if twitches need urgent care See if twitching could signal illness Find OTC options for twitching relief Find doctors for muscle twitching Discover home remedies for body twitching Understand likely causes of twitching symptoms

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Explanation

Involuntary body twitches, also known as tremors, can happen for a few reasons. One reason could be certain medications you may be taking. These medications can cause your body to shake or twitch without you wanting it to. Another reason could be related to vitamin B12. If your body doesn't have enough vitamin B12, it may cause these movements. Interestingly, even when you start taking vitamin B12 to fix this lack, it may still cause twitching for a little while. Stress is another major contributing factor to causing twitches.

Possible Causes:

Medications:

Some drugs may make your body twitch involuntarily.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency:

Not having enough vitamin B12 can lead to involuntary movements.
Even after starting vitamin B12 supplements, you may still experience twitching initially.

If you are experiencing these symptoms, you can use this free symptom checker to help identify potential causes and determine whether you should seek medical attention.

(References)

Baizabal-Carvallo JF, & Morgan JC. (2022). Drug-induced tremor, clinical features, diagnostic approach .... Journal of the neurological sciences, 35220110.
Celik M, Barkut IK, Oncel C, & Forta H. (2003). Involuntary movements associated with vitamin B12 .... Parkinsonism & related disorders, 14499210.
Zanus C, Alberini E, Costa P, Colonna F, Zennaro F, & Carrozzi M. (2012). Involuntary movements after correction of vitamin B12 .... Epileptic disorders : international epilepsy journal with videotape, 22591802.

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