Vitamin C Deficiency
Vitamin C is one of many different vitamins that a person needs to stay healthy and for the body to function properly. People with not enough vitamin C in their bodies are considered Vitamin C deficient. This can lead to numerous health problems and illnesses.
Vitamin C Deficiency Risk Factors
Some people are more at risk for vitamin C than others. There are certain risk factors that can make a person more likely to become deficient. Some common risk factors include:
- Certain autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis
- Certain cancers like breast or prostate cancer
- Digestive conditions like inflammatory bowel disease or celiac disease
- History of weight loss surgery
- Liver disease
- Eating disorder
- Certain thyroid or hormone-related conditions
Vitamin C Deficiency Causes
You get Vitamin C from certain foods. If a person is vitamin C deficient, he or she failed to eat food that contains the vitamin. Smoked foods or those cooked with fuel may bring in lower Vitamin C content to the body.
Vitamin C Deficiency Symptoms
Vitamin C deficiency symptoms can vary from person to person. Some people have mild symptoms while others experience severe ones. In some cases, people don’t notice their symptoms. Their low vitamin C levels are found by accident while doctors are diagnosing to treat for other disorders. Some common symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Mood changes
- Weight loss
- Joint pain
- Muscle pain
- Dental problems
- Weakened immune system
Vitamin C Deficiency Diagnosis
Doctors can often diagnose a vitamin C deficiency just by knowing the patient’s symptoms. They will often do a blood test to confirm if the levels are low.
Vitamin C Deficiency Treatment
There are different ways to treat Vitamin C deficiency. In many cases, a person can take vitamin C supplements to correct the problem. Doctors may also recommend that patients eat a diet that contains a lot of foods that are high in vitamin C. If the deficiency is severe, injections may be needed to bring up a person’s vitamin C levels quickly. Some foods that are high in Vitamin C include:
- Black currant
- Red pepper
- Kiwifruit
- Guava
- Green bell pepper
- Oranges
- Strawberries
- Papaya
- Broccoli
- Kale
- Parsley
- Pineapple
- Brussels sprouts
Vitamin C Deficiency Prognosis
A vitamin C deficiency is a serious problem that can lead to other health issues if not treated. Once diagnosed and treated, people who are vitamin C deficient typically improve quickly. People who suffer from diseases or illnesses that make them more at risk for Vitamin C deficiency may need to be monitored regularly to ensure their vitamin C levels stay up.
Vitamin C Deficiency Complications
If left untreated, vitamin C deficiency can lead to numerous complications. Some of them are more serious than others. If you experience any of these complications, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Some complications can lead to a more serious health problem and even death. Some common complications include:
- Macrocytosis
- Periosteal reaction
- Hemolytic anemia
- Pathological fracture
- Microcytosis
- Genu varum
- Vascular hemostatic disorder
- Splinter hemorrhages
- Genu valgum
- Gum pathology
- Eye red
- Alkaline phosphatase levels low (plasma or serum)
- Red cell production reduced
