DOC I HAVE VITAMIN E DEFICIENCYVitamin E Deficiency is a medical condition caused by the deficiency of the human body of Vitamin E as a result of inadequate dietary intake or impaired absorption.Vitamin E is present in all living human tissues as an important fat soluble antioxidant compound of cell metabolism.It also help to control membrane premeabilty and stability.It may have a role in the normal differentiation of fetal tissues.In laboratories it has been found to increase fertilty in mice.Vitamin E is found primarily in 1.animal sources - eggs, butter and milk.2.vegetable sources: Vitamin E is found in fresh green and yellow vegetables and cereals.Optimal requirements of Vitamin E are:1.adults and children above puberty: 30 mg to 60 mg dailyPregnant mother and elderly may need double the amount.2.Infants and children before puberty: 0.5 mg per kgm dailyInfants can get sufficient Vitamin E in breast milkFunctions of Vitamin E:1.Vitamin E together is essential for the formation and maintenance of intercellular substances such as connective tissue, bones and cartilage.2.Vitamin E is involved in the skin wound healing3.Vitamin E improves the blood circulation in the human bodyIt is therefore useful in the prevention of people with low immunity to illnesses.4.Vitamin E also interacts with Vitamin C, folic acid, iron, Vitamin B12 and protein and other minerals to form the red blood cells.Causes of Vitamin E Deficiency:Vitamin E Deficiency occurs 1.when there is Vitamin E deficiencies due to a.diet - lactating mothers should take more Vitamin Eb.malabsorption as in celiac syndrome, sprue or hepatitic cirrhosis2.Severity of Vitamin E deficiency is inversely related to age.It is more common in elderly people.Symptoms of Vitamin E Deficiency:1.Vitamin E Deficiency is a silent disease. People with Vitamin E Deficiency often do not know that they have the condition. 2.Mucous membrane-mucosa of the internal organs is affected by deficiency of Vitamin E3.Skin- hyperkeratosis and metaplasia of skin  may occur and lead to increased susceptibilty to infection.4.Body function-weakness and fatiqueDiagnosis of Vitamin E Deficiency:1.Blood Vitamin E levels are lowTreatment of Vitamin E Deficiency:The goal of Vitamin E Deficiency treatment is the prevention of increased fragility of red blood cells and low Vitamin E.Therefore, prevention of Vitamin E Deficiency is as important as treatment. Vitamin E Deficiency treatment and prevention measures are: Medications:Vitamin E supplementsVitamin E is given at 37.5 mg to 45 mg per day orally until the response is adequate.There is no proof that Vitamin E is useful to prevent heart disease or help in fertilty.Side effects are:1.Vitamin E may enhance anticoagulant activity and cause hemorrhage in bleeding prone patients. 2.nausea3.headache4.poor vision5.fatiquePrognosis of Vitamin E Deficiency:1.good response to treatment in Vitamin E deficiciency.2.treat underlying cause such as malabsorption to get a good response in the treatment of Vitamin E Deficiency.Prevention of Vitamin E Deficiency:take more diary products,cereals and vegetables.

read more: A Family Doctor's Tale - VITAMIN E DEFICIENCY