The body needs vitamin A for its normal functioning Therefore, the presence of this vitamin in the body is essential.... Vitamin A is fat soluble which means it needs dietary fat for proper absorption....Vitamin A is stored in the liver before being released into the bloodstream.

Vitamin A deficiency is rare and mostly caused by an underlying disease.... Some premature babies are also deficient in this vitamin.

Vitamin A exists in eight types of chemical substances. Through a blood test, the doctor can determine the amount of one of its types, namely alpha nocoferol, in the body of a person. Using this information, he measures the total amount of vitamin A in the body of a person.

The normal amount of vitamin A per liter of blood is equal to 5.5 to 17 mg... This amount is different in premature babies and children under 17 years old... Also, the normal amount of vitamin A varies slightly in different laboratories... If the amount of vitamin A in an adult is less than 4 mg per liter of blood, he usually needs a supplement... The amount of vitamin A in the body is very low. It gets disturbed... (What role do B vitamins play in health?)

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Vitamin A deficiency has 8 signs and symptoms

1... dry skin

Vitamin A is important in the formation and repair of skin cells. It also helps with inflammation caused by some skin problems.

If vitamin A is not enough, eczema and other skin problems occur.

Eczema causes dryness, itching and inflammation of the skin.... According to several clinical studies, alitretinoin (a drug that acts like vitamin A) is effective in treating eczema.

In a 12-week study, people with eczema took 10 to 40 mg of alitretinoin daily and their symptoms were reduced by 53%.

Remember that dry skin has many causes, but it may be caused by chronic vitamin A deficiency.

Summary Vitamin A plays an important role in repairing the skin and treating inflammation. The lack of this nutrient leads to skin inflammation.

See more:List of dermatologists

2.... dry eyes

Eye disorders are one of the most well-known problems caused by vitamin A deficiency.

Deficiency of vitamin A in acute cases leads to loss of vision or destruction of the cornea, the most obvious symptom of which is Beito's spots.

Dry eyes, or inability to form tears, is one of the first symptoms of vitamin A deficiency.

Children in India, Africa and Southeast Asia who do not get enough vitamin A are more at risk of dry eye.

Consumption of supplements helps to improve this disorder.

According to one study, a high dose of vitamin A reduced the incidence of dry eye by 63% in children and infants who used the supplement for 16 months.

SummaryVitamin A deficiency can lead to dry eyes, blindness or loss of the cornea, which are also called Beito's spots. One of the first symptoms of vitamin A deficiency is the lack of tear formation.

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3.... Blind night

Severe deficiency of vitamin A can lead to night blindness.

According to several observational studies, the number of night blindness is high in developing countries.

Due to the epidemic of this problem, health professionals have tried to improve the vitamin A status of people who are at risk of blindness.

In one study, women with night blindness were given supplements or foods containing vitamin A. In both cases, the condition improved.... After 6 weeks of treatment, women's dark adaptation increased by 50%.

Summary Adequate consumption of vitamin A is necessary to maintain eye health. Dry eyes and night blindness are the first symptoms of vitamin A deficiency.

See more: Best Ophthalmologist

4... Infertility and pregnancy problem

Vitamin A plays an important role in the reproduction of women and men and is also effective in the proper development of children.

If you have trouble getting pregnant, vitamin A deficiency can be one of the reasons. Vitamin A deficiency may cause infertility in men and women.

Research shows that female rats with vitamin A deficiency have difficulty conceiving and the fetus may have congenital abnormalities.

Other research shows that infertile men need more antioxidants due to the high level of oxidative stress in the body....Vitamin A is one of the nutrients that plays the role of antioxidant in the body.

Vitamin A deficiency is also associated with miscarriage.

In one study, the amount of nutrients in the blood of women who had experienced multiple abortions was evaluated, and the results showed that the amount of vitamin A in their bodies was low.

SummaryWomen and men who do not get enough vitamin A will have fertility problems...Vitamin A deficiency in parents also leads to miscarriage or birth defects.

See more: The Best Female Doctor

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5... Delay in growth

The growth of children who do not receive enough vitamin A is delayed.... because vitamin A is necessary for the proper development of the human body.

According to several studies, taking vitamin A supplements (alone or together with other nutrients) helps to grow better.... Most of this research has been done on children from developing countries.

In fact, according to a study of more than 1,000 children in Indonesia, children with vitamin A deficiency who took vitamin A supplements over four months grew 0.15 inches (0.39 cm) more than children who took painkillers.

However, a review of research shows that taking supplements with other nutrients has a greater effect on growth than taking them alone.

For example, children with short stature in Africa who received a variety of vitamins and minerals had half a point better in height than children who received only vitamin A supplements.

SummaryVitamin A deficiency can lead to a delay in the growth of children... Using supplements along with other nutrients has a greater impact on growth than using supplements alone.

See more: List of Best Endocrinologists

6... Pharynx and chest infection

Frequent infections, especially in the throat or chest, can be a sign of vitamin A deficiency.

Vitamin A supplements help with respiratory tract infections, but research results are conflicting.

According to a study of Ecuadorian children, respiratory tract infections were lower in underweight children who received 10,000 international units of vitamin A per week than in children who received painkillers.

On the other hand, a review of research shows that vitamin A supplements increase the risk of throat and chest infections by 8%.

Researchers suggest that only children with true vitamin A deficiency should use supplements.

Furthermore, according to research conducted on elderly people, high levels of provitamin A in the blood protect the body against respiratory tract infections.

SummaryThe use of supplements protects low birth weight children against infection, but increases the risk of infection in other groups.. A high level of vitamin A in the blood of adults makes a person less prone to throat and chest infections.

See more: The Good Infectious Doctor

7... Scars heal later

If the scar does not heal well after an injury or surgery, the person may have a vitamin A deficiency.

Because vitamin A plays a role in the formation of collagen (one of the important components of healthy skin). Research shows that the use of vitamin A pills and ampoules helps to strengthen the skin.

From research on mice, it seems that eating vitamin A improves collagen formation... Even if the mice were given steroids (which prevent wound healing), the vitamin had its effect.

Further research on mice shows that topical skin treatment with vitamin A prevents the formation of diabetic ulcers.

The results of human studies are the same... scar size improved 50% more in older men who treated their scars with topical vitamin A cream than those who did not.

SummaryIngestion and topical application of vitamin A can help heal ulcers, especially in people who are prone to ulceration.

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8 .... acne and acne

Since vitamin A plays an important role in skin formation and fighting inflammation, it is also effective in preventing or treating acne.

Many studies associate vitamin A deficiency with the development of acne.

According to a study of 200 adults, the amount of vitamin A in people with acne was 80 micrograms lower than in people who did not have this problem.

Eating and topical application of vitamin A helps to treat acne. Research shows that creams containing vitamin A reduce the number of acne by 50%.

Isotretinoin or Accutane is the most well-known vitamin A capsule. This drug is very effective in treating acne, but it may have side effects, including mood changes and birth defects.

SummaryAcne is related to vitamin A deficiency... Vitamin A capsules and topical cream are effective in treating acne, but they may have side effects.

Learn more: Is white hair related to vitamin and mineral deficiency?

Dangers of high levels of vitamin A

Vitamin A plays an important role in general health... but if its amount in the body is more than normal, it is dangerous.

Usually, too much vitamin A in the body or vitamin A poisoning is caused by long-term use of strong vitamin A supplements.. It is rare for a person to have this problem only through food consumption.

Excess vitamin A is stored in the liver, leading to toxicity and distressing symptoms such as vision changes, bone swelling, dry and rough skin, mouth damage, and confusion.

Especially, pregnant women should be aware of the amount of vitamin A they consume to prevent birth defects.

Learn more: What are B6 tablets?

Be sure to consult a health professional before starting to take vitamin A supplements.

Some people may need more vitamin A due to certain diseases, but most healthy adults need 700-900 micrograms of vitamin A daily.. While children need less vitamin A, breastfeeding women need more vitamin A.

Summary Usually, vitamin A poisoning is caused by excessive consumption of vitamins in supplement form.... This condition leads to serious problems such as changes in vision, mouth injuries, confusion and birth defects.

Learn more: Which vitamin deficiency causes dry mouth?

Causes of vitamin A deficiency

Genetics

In most cases, vitamin A deficiency is hereditary.

Getting information about family history makes it easier to diagnose some rare and inherited diseases... Congenital abthaliopoteninemia and hereditary vitamin A deficiency are two chronic diseases that lead to a severe decrease in the amount of vitamin A in a person.

Disease

Also, a person may suffer from vitamin A deficiency as a result of certain diseases, which greatly reduces fat absorption. Because the body needs fat to properly absorb vitamin A.

Among these diseases, the following can be mentioned:

• Chronic pancreatitis Celiac disease
• Hepatic cholestasis disease
• Cystic fibrosis

Vitamin A deficiency is also common among infants and premature children who have low birth weight and low body fat.

Especially premature children are at risk because if the digestive system is immature, the absorption of fat and vitamin A is impaired.

It is also possible that vitamin A deficiency in these babies leads to hemolytic anemia, which destroys red blood cells.

See more:Internal Medicine

When should you see a doctor?

If you do not have a family history of vitamin A deficiency, but you are experiencing symptoms, you should consult your doctor.

Severe vitamin A deficiency can indicate an underlying disease....More tests help to diagnose the cause and treatment options.

What are the treatment options?

In most cases, taking supplements is effective.

Infants and premature children

Currently, the vitamin A supplement is given to the baby by placing a tube in the abdomen... If necessary, the supplement can be injected.

While a single dose of vitamin A will increase its level in the blood sufficiently, several doses may be needed.

Children and adults

Children and adults who are deficient in vitamin A due to hereditary disease, need a high dose of vitamin A supplement.

The use of supplements prevents the progression of the disease.... If vitamin A deficiency is diagnosed in time, the person will not have neurological symptoms.

Vitamin A in the diet

A person is unlikely to be deficient in vitamin A unless they have an underlying chronic disease and genetic disease or their diet is very low in fat. Other people usually do not need a supplement.

Vitamin A is abundantly found in all kinds of foods.... The body cannot produce this vitamin, so it must be supplied through food or supplements.

See more: list of best nutritionist doctor

Among the foods containing vitamin A, the following can be mentioned:

• vegetable oil such as wheat germ oil, peanut oil and olive oil
• Nuts, seeds
• Whole grains
• milk
• Most vegetables include spinach, beetroot, red pepper and avocado

Complications of vitamin A deficiency

A person should not take fat-soluble vitamin supplements, including vitamins A, D, E, and K.

Increasing the amount of vitamin E leads to abnormal bleeding, muscle pain, diarrhea and vomiting. Bleeding increases the risk of stroke and death.

High intake of vitamin E also interacts with blood-thinning medications, such as warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs.

A person should discuss all supplements and vitamins they take regularly with their doctor....Do not take more than the recommended dosage of a supplement unless recommended by a doctor.

Summary

If an adult is deficient in vitamin E, he or she is probably suffering from a chronic or genetic disease.....the person should seek medical help.

If the cause of vitamin E deficiency is eating a low-fat diet, this problem can be solved by adding fat to the diet.

In order to prevent the progression of the disease and the occurrence of complications, it is necessary to take vitamin E supplements.... If a person's vitamin E deficiency is diagnosed in time and treated regularly, he will achieve a favorable condition.

Research on vitamin E supplements, toxicity and limitations of its use continues.

Source: medicalnewstoday