Vitamin E deficiency in humans is a very rare condition, occurring as a consequence of abnormalities in dietary fat absorption or metabolism rather than from a diet low in vitamin E.[1] Collectively the EARs, RDAs, AIs and ULs for vitamin E and other essential nutrients are referred to as Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs).[1] Vitamin E deficiency can cause nerve problems due to poor conduction of electrical impulses along nerves due to changes in nerve membrane structure and function.
Vitamin E deficiency | |
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Specialty | Endocrinology |
Signs of vitamin E deficiency include the following:
Vitamin E deficiency is rare. There are no records of it from simple lack of vitamin E in a person's diet, but it can arise from physiological abnormalities.[1] It occurs in the people in the following situations:[2][5]
The U.S. Institute of Medicine defines deficiency as a serum concentration of less than 12 μmol/L. The symptoms can be enough for a diagnosis to be formed.[1]
Treatment is oral vitamin E supplementation.[3]
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