Vitamin E, a general term used to refer to a group of fat-soluble compounds, is important because of its powerful antioxidant properties, which stop the production of harmful compounds in the body. Symptoms of vitamin E deficiency are mostly neurological in nature, as they affect signal transmission in the central nervous system. It is also possible for symptoms of vitamin E deficiency to include damage to red blood cells. In general, it is difficult to reach a state of deficiency of vitamin E, as it is widely available in many different foods. Individuals who have problems digesting fats, however, may develop a deficiency because vitamin E is dissolved in fats and is absorbed through ingested fats.
The main symptoms of vitamin E deficiency are neurological in nature and can include a variety of neuromuscular issues that tend to present in the form of reduced muscular strength and reduced coordination. Vitamin E deficiency can cause various types of ataxia, meaning that muscular coordination in various parts of the body becomes impaired. This occurs when the deficiency affects parts of the nervous system that are essential for muscular coordination. Symptoms of vitamin E deficiency can also include a loss of muscular strength, which can be neurological in origin as well. There is not a specific pattern to the presentation of these symptoms, and they can affect a wide range of different muscle groups.
A lack of the antioxidant properties of vitamin E also can result in damage to red blood cells, resulting in a condition known as anemia. Anemia is characterized by a reduction in the number of red blood cells available to the body. Symptoms of anemia, which may also be symptoms of vitamin E deficiency, include general feelings of weakness and fatigue, sometimes coupled with shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and difficulty concentrating. These symptoms become most apparent during periods of physical exertion as the reduced blood cell count is not sufficient to get oxygen where it is needed throughout the body.
It can be difficult to actually connect the symptoms of vitamin E deficiency to the deficiency itself because they are often associated with other disorders. Muscular weakness, lack of muscular coordination, and anemia are all symptoms of other ailments, many more common than vitamin E deficiency. As such, awareness of conditions such as an inability to absorb fat is generally more useful than observing the actual symptoms of vitamin E deficiency for diagnosing the problem.
