Vitamin Deficiency

Question 1

What is vitamin A?

Answer 1

retinol, fat soluble vitamin

Question 2

What is its main function of vit A?

Answer 2

necessary for normal eyesight, body tissues, growth and bone formation, resistance to infection, colour and night vision

Question 3

When should high levels of vit A be avoided?

Answer 3

in pregnancy

Question 4

Where is vitamin A acquired from?

Answer 4

liver, fish liver oils, whole or fortified milk, eggs, carrots and dark-green leafy vegetables, peaches, apricots

Question 5

What are signs of deficiency of vitamin A?

Answer 5

poor night vision or night blindness, loss of appetite(LOA), increased susceptibility to infection and changes in the skin and teeth. Dryness of conjunctiva and cornea

Question 6

What is vitamin B1?

Answer 6

thiamine

Question 7

What is the function of vitamin B1?

Answer 7

vital for normal functioning of all body cells, especially nerves
helps body break down carbs, protein and fat for energy

Question 8

What is the important safety advise given by the MHRA/CSM for vitamin B1?

Answer 8

potentially serious allergic adverse reactions when given IV

Question 9

Where is vit B1 acquired?

Answer 9

pulses, brewers yeast, liver/pork, dried beans and peas, collard greens, oranges, wheat germ, breads and cereals whole grain, peanuts

Question 10

What are signs of deficiency of vit B1?

Answer 10

fatigue, LOA, weight loss, GI upsets, N/weakness, mental confusion, muscular weakness, paralysis of extremities, heat problems, loss of reflexes

Question 11

what is a severe deficiency of vit B1? How is treated?

Answer 11

Wernickes encephalopathy - especially seen in chronic alcoholism
INITIALLY with PABRINEX (contains Vitamin B1,2,3,6 AND Vitamin C) followed by oral administration of thiamine in the long run.

Question 12

What has been associated with parenteral administration of thiamine?

Answer 12

serious anaphylaxis

Question 13

What is vitamin B2

Answer 13

riboflavin

Question 14

what is vit B2 necessary for?

Answer 14

normal release of energy from carb, protein and fat in food. growth development of normal hormones

Question 15

what sources is vit b2 attained from?

Answer 15

dairy products, meat, fish, grains, cereals, broccoli, asparagus, spinach

Question 16

what are signs of deficiency of vit b2?

Answer 16

soreness of mouth, lips and tongue, burning and itching of the eyes

Question 17

What is vitamin B3 and what is it essential for?

Answer 17

niacin
release of energy from carbs, aids breakdown of protein and fats/synthesis of fat and hormones and formation of red blood cells

Question 18

Where is vit b3 attained from?

Answer 18

meat, fish, wheat flour, eggs and milk

Question 19

what are signs of deficiency of vit b3? What is a severe deficiency associated with vit b3?

Answer 19

weakness, LOA, indigestion, skin inflammation, lethargy
severe deficiency results in disease pellagra - causes scaly skin, swollen tongue, tremors and damage to the central nervous system

Question 20

What is vit B6? What is its main function? What source is it found in?

Answer 20

pyridoxine
same as the other vitmains B’s plus processing amino acids which aids formation and maintenance of the nervous system

found in chicken, fish, kidney, liver, eggs

Question 21

What are signs of deficiency of vit b6?

Answer 21

depression, vomiting, increased susceptibility to disease and infection, skin and nerve inflammation, anaemia, Nausea and lethargy

Question 22

What is a risk factor when taking vit b6?

Answer 22

risk of neuropathy with high doses
Prolonged use of 10mg/day is considered safe but long-term use of pyridoxine in a dose of >200mg/day has been associated with neuropathy SO AVOID OVERDOSE.

Question 23

What is vit B7? What are its functions etc?

Answer 23

Biotin - same as all other vitamin B’s

Question 24

What is the main function of vit b12?
which group of people lack this vitamin?
Which drug causes vit b12 deficiency?

Answer 24

same as others
Vegans
metformin

Question 25

what are signs of deficiency of vit b12?

Answer 25

pernicious anaemia and neurological problems

Question 26

What can vit b6 treat?

Answer 26

Treatment and prophylaxis of isoniazid-induced neuropathy, prevention of Penicillamine-induced neuropathy and surprisingly can also be used to treat Premenstrual syndrome

Question 27

What is vit c?

Answer 27

ascorbic acid

Question 28

What is vit c essential for?

Answer 28

necessary for the formation of collagen, promotes healing of wounds, bone fractures, bruises

Deficiency can lead to SCURVY which in severe cases can cause gingival swelling and bleeding hence ascorbic acid is given for the treatment and prevention of scurvy.

Question 29

What is vit D essential for?

Answer 29

rickets, osetomalacia

Question 30

how does someone become vit D deficient?

Answer 30

Deficiency occurs due to lack of exposure to the sun or lack of vitamin D in diet. This can lead to RICKETS (bones become soft and weak resulting in bone deformities).

Question 31

which vitamins are fat soluble?

Answer 31

vit D/E/K/A

Question 32

What is the function of vit E? Where is it found?

Answer 32

protects fts and vit A in the body from destruction by destructive O2 fragments
found in vegetable oils, margarine, nuts, wheat

Question 33

what is the main function of vit K?

Answer 33

regulate blood clotting

Question 34

what source is vit K found in?

Answer 34

green leafy veggies - such as broccoli, spinach