Do I Have Vitamin A Deficiency?

Do you have a dry skin or perhaps red, dry and itchy skin (eczema)?

Do you have dry lips and thickened tongue?

Do you have dry eyes, a stinging, burning or scratchy sensation in your eyes (you are unable to produce tears)?

Do you have difficulty seeing in the dark or in dimly lit environments (night blindness)?

If you are a woman, do you have trouble getting pregnant?

Do you have frequent respiratory or gastrointestinal infections?

Have you noticed that your wounds heal slowly?

Do you have acne on your skin?

Do you have any of the following conditions: celiac disease, liver or pancreatic disease, bile duct disorder or duodenal bypass?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin A deficiency represents a lack of vitamin A in your body that is vital for the health of your eyes, skin and proper growth in children. Vitamin A is found in animal and fish liver, egg yolks, butter, cream, fortified milk, as well as red, orange, yellow and green plant food. Yellow, orange and red color of fruits and vegetables come from carotenoids, substances that are converted into vitamin A in your body. Carotenoids are best absorbed from cooked vegetables. Eat a variety of these foods to get the right amount of vitamin A.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin A deficiency, also known as hypovitaminosis A is a medical condition caused by poor intake of vitamin A with food, or improper absorption of this vitamin in the body. The daily needs for vitamin A are 900 mcg for men and 700 mcg for women. Always talk to your doctor before starting vitamin A supplements. It is usually easy to correct vitamin A deficiency by changing your diet and taking oral supplements. Excessive amounts of vitamin A in pregnant women can cause birth defects in babies, so they should be especially careful.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin A is the name for a group of retinoids that are extremely important for the vision, reproduction and proper functioning of your immune system. Vitamin A deficiency is treated by dietary changes and supplements. Although, it is a valuable to your overall health, too much of vitamin A can be dangerous. It is uncommon to get too much vitamin A from diet alone, but if you take high-dose supplements for a long time, you may experience vitamin A toxicity. Be sure to consult a doctor before taking supplements.