A health condition in which the body cannot get enough vitamin A is called vitamin A deficiency. However, this disorder may also occur due to certain health conditions. People who develop this condition usually experience vision problems (such as night blindness). While treatment for this condition involves vitamin A supplements, it can be prevented by including in your diet vitamin A-rich foods. If you ignore the symptoms and do not get treatment, it may lead to unpleasant outcomes.
Vitamin A
This vitamin plays an essential role in the body and helps multiple systems to function properly. For example, vision, metabolism, cell development, and others. It also contributes to health, immunity, and the reproductive system. You should know that the body cannot produce this vitamin on its own. That’s why it is important to eat plenty of foods that contain vitamin A.
While vitamin A is involved in the production of pigments that allow the retina to work correctly, it is also needed to make moisture and maintain the corneas properly lubricated. Otherwise, it may lead to blindness. Furthermore, vitamin A contributes to the skin, lining of the lungs, the intestines, and the urinary tract, and helps the immune system protect you against infections.
Types of Vitamin A
There are 2 forms of this vitamin. Examples include:
- Preformed vitamin A – This type of vitamin A is also known as retinol. It is usually found in animal products (such as beef, poultry, fish, liver, and eggs). Moreover, some cereals and dairy products also contain vitamin A.
- Provitamin A carotenoids – The pigments in fruits and vegetables that give them orange, yellow, and red colors are called carotenoids. When you eat these fruits or vegetables, carotenoids are gradually converted into vitamin A. One of the most common types of carotenoids is beta-carotene.
Symptoms
One of the most common symptoms of vitamin A deficiency is night blindness (also known as nyctalopia). When it occurs, you may not be able to see at night, but you still can see if enough light is present. Commonly, this symptom appears due to a retinal disorder caused by a lack of vitamin A.
When the condition advances, it may cause the whites of the eyes and corneas to become dry as it is not possible to make tears (xerophthalmia). Some people may experience corneal ulcers that may lead to blindness.
Causes
Usually, people develop his condition when they do not eat enough foods that contain vitamin A. In general, this is a rare condition in the United States. It is mostly diagnosed in developing countries in multiple areas of the world.
Sometimes, vitamin A deficiency may occur due to certain liver disorders. In normal circumstances, the liver stores the most vitamin A, and these disorders may interact with vitamin storage. Additionally, the following health conditions may affect the ability of the intestine to absorb vitamin A from foods. Check below some examples:
- Chronic diarrhea
- Celiac disease
- Cystic fibrosis
- Pancreatic disorders
- Bile duct blockage
- Zinc or Iron deficiency
- Small intestine bypass or bariatric surgery
- Alcohol use disorder
- Surgery to the intestines or pancreas
What Are The Possible Complications of Vitamin A Deficiency?
Those who develop this disorder and do not get treatment may experience some complications. Check below some examples:
- Eye problems – Vitamin A plays an essential role in multiple functions of the eyes. A little or a lack of vitamin A may cause vision loss and even blindness.
- Skin disorders – Your skin may become scaly, dry, or itchy without enough vitamin A in the body.
- Infertility – This vitamin is also vital for the proper function of the reproductive organs. Some people with this disorder may develop infertility.
- Delayed growth and development – This complication affects children.
- Respiratory tract infections – In some cases, vitamin A deficiency may cause the immune system not to work properly, which often leads to infections in the throat or chest.
- Liver damage
- Increased risk of death (especially in children)
- Measles
This document does not contain a full list of vitamin A deficiency complications. However, you can consult with your doctor about ways to reduce the risk or prevent these complications. In addition, between 250,000 and 500,000 children become blind worldwide each year due to vitamin A deficiency.
How to Prevent Vitamin A Deficiency?
Fortunately, there is a sure way to prevent this condition. Check below some foods that you can add to your diet to prevent vitamin A deficiency:
- Green vegetables (such as broccoli, leafy greens, and others)
- Yellow and orange vegetables (including sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, pumpkin, and others)
- Dairy products
- Some types of fish (including salmon)
- Eggs
- Cereals, rice, potatoes, wheat, and soybeans
- Liver, beef, and chicken
- Yellow and orange fruits (such as oranges, mangos, cantaloupe, and papayas)
Talk with your healthcare professional for more details.
Diagnosis
First, doctors perform a physical examination to check for irregularities linked to the disease. They may also ask some questions about your symptoms and medical history. However, the only way to confirm this condition is a blood test. It may also help rule out other conditions that cause similar symptoms to vitamin A deficiency.
If you experience night blindness, physicians may perform an eye test called electroretinography. During this test, doctors will determine the response of your retina to flashes of light. Sometimes, vitamin A deficiency is confirmed when you start taking vitamin A supplements and symptoms improve.
Treatment
Commonly, doctors prescribe high doses of vitamin A supplements for a few days to treat this condition. Therefore, doctors will reduce the dose until the vision and other problems do not improve. While these supplements can cure night blindness, they cannot recover vision loss caused by scarring caused by corneal ulcers. That’s why early diagnosis and treatment are very important.
Children should never take high doses of vitamin A supplements because they can be toxic. Consult with your healthcare professional about the correct dosage if your child experiences vitamin A deficiency. Moreover, physicians can help plan a healthy and balanced diet with vitamin A-rich foods.
Usually, you should stop the treatment when the retinol level is over 30 mcg/dL because the supplements are no longer beneficial.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens when you have a vitamin A deficiency?
People usually develop this condition when not eating enough foods that contain vitamin A. When it occurs, you may experience vision loss or even blindness (in severe cases). However, you may also experience other complications with the skin, heart, lungs, tissues, and immune system.
What are the symptoms of too much vitamin A?
When levels of vitamin A are excessive, you may experience some symptoms. For example, dizziness, sleepiness, nausea, vomiting, headaches, and even coma (in severe cases). For more details, discuss it with your doctor.
Who is most at risk for a deficiency of vitamin A?
While this condition occurs rarely in the U.S., it is mostly diagnosed in young children and pregnant women in low-income countries. Ask your healthcare professional if you have additional questions.
