Your body needs adequate amounts of vitamin E for your immune system to function properly, to inhibit your blood from clotting, to keep your blood vessels open. Having adequate amounts of vitamin E protects against damage from free radicals. While not common, too much or too little vitamin E can cause symptoms including drowsiness so it is important to get enough through your diet and to talk to your doctor before taking supplements.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that is found in many foods. Deficiencies are rare and usually only occur in those with medical conditions that inhibit the body's ability to digest and absorb food properly, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you suspect a vitamin E deficiency, your physician can run blood tests to determine your level. Most adults need about 15 mg, or 22 IU, per day.
Ataxia
If you develop a vitamin E deficiency, you may experience nerve damage in various areas of the body, ataxia -- trouble coordinating movement -- skeletal damage, inflammation of the retina and impairment of the immune system, according to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. If you have ataxia because your body cannot properly absorb vitamin E, you may have difficulty with drowsiness or increased fatigue because your body needs to expend more energy then normal to coordinate movements and carry out everyday activities, says Johns Hopkins Medicine. Treating ataxia is challenging and requires a multidisciplinary approach.
Vitamin E Overdose
Eating a diet rich in foods that contain vitamin E or taking supplements short term per your doctors orders is considered safe for many, but high doses of vitamin E can be dangerous. While not common, too much vitamin D can lead to dizziness, fatigue and drowsiness, according to MayoClinic.com. More common side effects of too much vitamin E include abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and flu-like symptoms. Severe side effects of vitamin E overdose include kidney damage and an increased risk of bleeding. Like all supplements, vitamin E can interact with other medications, so talk to your doctor before starting a new supplement.
Prevention
If you have an underlying medical condition that causes a deficiency of vitamin E or drowsiness, you will need to treat the condition to correct the imbalance. Eating a well-balanced diet that includes fruits and vegetables of many colors can help you meet your daily needs. Vegetable oils, salad dressings and margarines are also sources of vitamin E, and there are many foods that are fortified with it. To prevent complications from too much vitamin E, do not consume or take more than 1,000 mg, or 1,500 IU, a day, reports the University of Florida. Choose food sources over supplements, and use supplements only under medical supervision.
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