![]() Blurry visionīecause of the role thiamine plays in maintaining healthy nerves, a deficiency can affect the optic nerve in your eyes. Over time, untreated thiamine deficiency can lead to more serious damage to these peripheral nerves ( 16). When there’s not enough thiamine present, paresthesia can result ( 15). The reason behind this symptom is that thiamine is required for the expected function of the nerves that reach your arms and legs. It generally comes before more widespread, brain-related symptoms ( 14). lower body paralysis (inability to move the legs)Įven though tingling - the sensation of prickliness and “pins and needles” in your arms and legs, also called paresthesia - can be a symptom of severe beriberi, it can also be an earlier symptom of thiamine deficiency.loss of sensitivity in feet and fingers.Potential symptoms of beriberi can include ( 12, 13): Wet beriberi is considered an emergency and can lead to death within a few days if not treated ( 2, 11). Wet beriberi includes heart failure, whereas dry beriberi occurs without heart failure. There are two types of beriberi that can occur: wet beriberi and dry beriberi. In fact, neuropathy from thiamine deficiency was among the first deficiency syndrome identified in humans ( 2). Nerve damageĪmong the most well-known side effects of prolonged, severe thiamine deficiency ( beriberi) is damage to the nerves, also known as neuropathy. Having a thiamine deficiency may cause some changes in your mood, such as making you more irritable or easily upset.įeeling irritable is often among the earliest signs of thiamine deficiency, and it may present alongside fatigue within just a few weeks ( 2).īabies with thiamine deficiency frequently express increased irritability as a symptom ( 9, 10). In fact, some researchers suggest that fatigue should be prioritized when identifying early signs of thiamine deficiency among people at risk for it ( 8). While fatigue is a widespread symptom that can indicate a number of other health conditions, many studies have linked it to thiamine deficiency ( 6, 7). Not having enough thiamine in the body means that it cannot produce as much energy to use as fuel. This symptom makes sense, given the role of thiamine in converting food into energy. Some sources suggest fatigue can occur within just a few weeks of deficiency ( 2). Fatigueīeing deficient in thiamine can show up as fatigue (tiredness), which may come on quickly or over time, depending on the severity of the deficiency. Their food intake dropped by almost 75% by day 22 ( 5).įurthermore, an increase in appetite and return to usual food intake returned once thiamine was added back to their diet. ![]() For instance, one study found that rats ate significantly less food after receiving a diet deficient in thiamine for 16 days. This could cause you to potentially miss out on vital nutrients.Īnimal studies have demonstrated this relationship. Inadequate stores of thiamine may disrupt how well this process works, making you feel full even when you may not actually be ( 5).Īs a result, you may eat less than you usually would, due to a lack of appetite. One theory behind this is that thiamine may play a key role in regulating hunger and fullness cues in the brain. Losing your appetite (not feeling hungry) can lead to unintentional weight loss, which can be problematic or unsafe. Loss of appetiteĮxperiencing an atypical loss of appetite can be one of the earliest symptoms of thiamine deficiency. Signs and symptoms of thiamine deficiency can be easy to overlook, as they can be nonspecific and vague, sometimes mimicking symptoms of other conditions ( 4).īelow are some of the most common symptoms of thiamine deficiency. In highly industrialized countries, most people who experience true thiamine deficiency are experiencing other health conditions or procedures ( 2). True thiamine deficiency is rare among healthy individuals with adequate access to thiamine-rich foods ( 2, 3). Not getting enough thiamine can lead to thiamine deficiency, which can happen in as little as 3 weeks and affect your heart, nervous system, and immune system. Some of the best places to find thiamine in your diet include foods like: It’s also commonly added to multivitamins or taken as an individual supplement or as part of a vitamin B complex. In fact, your body can only store around 20 days’ worth of thiamine at any given time ( 2).įortunately, thiamine is naturally found in a variety of foods and added to others via fortification. That means that it dissolves in water and isn’t stored in your body, so you need to consume it on a regular basis. Like the other B vitamins, thiamine is water-soluble. Thiamine is a vitamin your body needs for growth, development, and cellular function, as well as converting food into energy ( 1).
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