Vitamin deficiency anemia is a lack of healthy red blood cells caused when you have lower than normal amounts of certain vitamins. Vitamins linked to vitamin deficiency anemia include folate, vitamin B-12 and vitamin C, just to name a few.
Vitamin deficiency anemia can occur if you don't eat enough foods containing folate, vitamin B-12 or vitamin C, or it can occur if your body has trouble absorbing or processing these vitamins.
Vitamin deficiency anemia develops when your body has a shortage of the vitamins needed to produce enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs throughout your body.
If your diet is lacking in certain vitamins, vitamin deficiency anemia can develop. Or vitamin deficiency anemia may develop because your body can't properly absorb the nutrients from the foods you eat.
WHAT SYMPTOMS MIGHT YOU HAVE WITH A VITAMIN OR MINERAL DEFICIENCY?
Symptoms
There are a number of different symptoms of vitamin deficiency. Usually, noticeable effects do not begin to develop until you have had several months of low vitamin levels.
Common symptoms of vitamin deficiency include:
Þ Fatigue, low energy
Þ Loss of bone density
Þ Dry skin and hair
Þ Depression
Þ Irritability
Þ Easy bruising or bleeding
Þ Poor wound healing (sores that last for a long time)
Þ Predisposition to infections
Þ Skin color changes
Complications
Prolonged vitamin deficiency can cause more serious health issue that may not improve, even with treatment.
Severe vitamin deficiencies can cause:
Þ Decreased sensation of the hands and feet
Þ Weakness of the toes and fingers
Þ Vision loss
Þ Memory loss
Þ Behavioral changes
Þ Shortness of breath
Þ Tachycardia (a rapid Heart rate)
Causes
The most obvious cause of vitamin deficiency is related to your diet. Vitamins are complex molecules present in fruit, vegetables, grains, meat, poultry, and seafood. Each vitamin is found in more than one type of food, and some foods are fortified with vitamins. For example, milk, naturally contains calcium (which is a mineral, not a vitamin) and it is fortified with vitamin D. Pasta, rice, and cereal are often fortified with a variety of vitamins. In addition to dietary factors, medical conditions can affect your absorption of vitamins, even if your dietary vitamin intake is adequate.
Dietary Risk Factors
Some diets can make you prone to vitamin deficiency. Vitamin B12 is found in meats—a vegan or vegetarian diet can increase the risk of vitamin B12 and biotin deficiency. If you are dairy-free, then you can become deficient in vitamin D.
A gluten-free diet is a diet low in grains, which are naturally rich in vitamins and are also often fortified with vitamins. So a gluten-free diet can make you deficiency in many vitamins, including folate, and thiamine.
A diet that is high in processed foods and low in fresh fruits and vegetables can result in vitamin E and vitamin K deficiency.
Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin A Deficiency
1. Dry Skin
2. Dry Eyes
3. Night Blindness
4. Infertility and Trouble Conceiving
5. Delayed Growth
6. Throat and Chest Infections
7. Poor Wound Healing
8. Acne and Breakouts
Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency
1. Being Sick or Getting Infections Often
2. Fatigue and Tiredness
3. Bone and Back Pain
4. Depression
5. Impaired Wound Healing
6. Bone Loss
7. Hair Loss
8. Muscle Pain
Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin E Deficiency
1. Difficulty with Walking or Coordination
2. Muscle Pain or Weakness
3. Visual Disturbances
4. General Un-wellness
Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin K Deficiency
1. Bruises Easily
2. Gets Small Blood Clots Underneath Their Nails
3. Bleeds in Mucous Membranes That Line Areas Inside the Body
4. Produces Stool That Looks Dark Black (almost like tar) and Contains Some Blood
Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin B1 Deficiency
1. Loss of Appetite
2. Fatigue and Tiredness
3. Irritability
4. Reduced Reflexes
5. Tingling Sensation in Arms and Legs
6. Muscle Weakness
7. Blurry Vision
8. Nausea and Vomiting
9. Changes in Heart Rate
10. Shortness of Breath
11. Delirium
Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin B2 Deficiency
1. Tiredness or Fatigue
2. Weakness
3. Constipation
4. Loss of Appetite
5. Weight Loss
6. Numbness and Tingling in the Hands and Feet
7. Balance Problems
8. Confusion
9. Poor Memory
10. Soreness of the Mouth or Tongue
Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin B3 Deficiency
1 Thick, Scaly Pigmented Rash on Skin Exposed to Sunlight.
2 Swollen Mouth and Bright Red Tongue.
3 Vomiting and Diarrhea.
4 Headache.
5 Apathy.
6 Fatigue.
7 Depression.
8 Disorientation.
Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin B5 Deficiency
1. Fatigue
2. Insomnia
3. Depression
4. Irritability
5. Vomiting
6. Stomach Pains
7. Burning Feet
8. Upper Respiratory Infections.
Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin B6 Deficiency
1. Skin Rashes
2. Cracked and Sore Lips
3. Sore, Glossy Tongue
4. Mood Changes
5. Weakened Immune Function
6. Tiredness and Low Energy
7. Tingling and Pain in Hands and Feet
Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin B7 Deficiency
1. Fine Scaly Seborrhea Dermatitis and/or a Red Rash.
2. Brittle Hair or Hair Loss.
3. Conjunctivitis.
4. Poor co-ordination of Body Movements
5. Lethargy
6. Loss of Appetite.
7. Mild Depression.
8. Hallucination.
Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin C Deficiency
1. Rough, Bumpy Skin
2. Corkscrew-Shaped Body Hair
3. Bright Red Hair Follicles
4. Spoon-Shaped Fingernails With Red Spots or Lines
5. Dry, Damaged Skin
6. Easy Bruising
7. Slowly Healing Wounds
8. Painful, Swollen Joints
9. Weak Bones
10. Bleeding Gums and Tooth Loss
11. Poor Immunity
12. Persistent Iron Deficiency Anemia
13. Fatigue and Poor Mood
14. Unexplained Weight Gain
15. Chronic Inflammation and Oxidative Stress