Vitamins compose a group of chemicals produced by plants and animals that humans cannot produce but require for normal growth, development and good health. Your diet is the exclusive source of vitamins, with the exception of vitamin D, which your skin can produce when exposed to sunlight. Vitamins play important roles in every organ system of your body. Vitamin deficiencies cause a broad variety of symptoms, depending of the specific vitamins you lack.
Paleness and Shortness of Breath
A deficiency of vitamin B-12 or B-9, also known as folate, slows your bone marrow's production of red blood cells, causing anemia. With vitamin-deficiency anemia, your skin may appear pale. You may also become short of breath easily due to the reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of your blood.
Poor Night Vision
A deficiency of vitamin A may reduce your capacity to see in the dark. This symptom is typically noticeable when you drive at night because your eyes do not adjust well when you pass from bright to low light. Although severe vitamin A deficiency is uncommon in the United States, it is a leading cause of blindness globally.
Bone Pain
Vitamin D deficiency can lead to soft bones, known as rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Absorption of dietary calcium and phosphorus in your intestines falls with a vitamin D deficiency, leading to impaired bone hardening, or mineralization. Bone pain is a common symptom of vitamin D-related rickets and osteomalacia. This symptom also may occur with vitamin C deficiency.
Bruising and Bleeding
A bruise represents bleeding under your skin, usually caused by a forceful blow. Vitamin C deficiency may cause you to bruise more easily than usual due to instability of your blood vessels. Vitamin K deficiency can also lead to easy bruising and prolonged bleeding after an injury. Your liver uses vitamin K to produce a group of proteins called clotting factors that stop bleeding associated with injuries. Vitamin K deficiency may significantly reduce your liver's production of the clotting factors.
Tiredness
The B complex vitamins thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and B-5, B-6 and B-7 help your body use carbohydrates, fats and proteins to generate energy. A deficiency of one or more of these vitamins may cause you to feel tired or easily exhausted with physical exertion.
Skin Dryness and Rashes
Vitamin A deficiency causes thickening of the outer layer of your skin, leading to a dry, scaly, rough appearance. Scurvy, the medical name for vitamin C deficiency, can also cause dry skin. You may experience skin rashes with a deficiency of riboflavin, niacin or vitamin B-6.
Numbness and Tingling
Numbness and tingling in your hands and feet may indicate a deficiency of vitamin B-12 or thiamine. This symptom of vitamin deficiency may persist if not treated promptly.
Diarrhea, Nausea and Vomiting
Diarrhea may occur if you develop a deficiency of vitamin A, niacin or folate. Nausea and vomiting may indicate a deficiency of vitamin B-5, B-6, B-7 or thiamine. Prolonged symptoms can lead to substantial weight loss if the deficiency is left untreated.
Mental Changes
Vitamin deficiencies can affect your brain, causing symptoms such as irritability, confusion, poor balance, sleeping difficulties and depression. One or more of these symptoms may occur with a deficiency of vitamin B-5, B-6, B-7, thiamine or niacin.
References
- "The Merck Manual, Home Edition"; Vitamin Deficiency Anemia; Alan E. Lichtin, M.D.; June 2008
- Colorado State University Extension: Fat-Soluble Vitamins; Jennifer Anderson, Ph.D., R.D., L. Young, M.S.; August 2008
- University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics: Vitamin A Deficiency: It Can Cause Blindness; Stephen McGowan, M.D.; 2000
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin D
- Colorado State University Extension: Water-Soluble Vitamins; Jennifer Anderson, Ph.D., R.D., L. Young, M.S.; August 2008
- "The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals"; Vitamin A; Larry E. Johnson, M.D,. Ph.D.; April 2007
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