What Happens to Your Body When You’re Vitamin Deficient?

In an ideal world, you would get all of the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients you need by eating a healthy, well-balanced, and colorful diet. Unfortunately, the average person in the United States doesn’t often get all of the nutrients they need through consuming healthy foods. 

At BodyLogicMD in Glastonbury, Connecticut, Dr. Anita Petruzzelli is a vitamins and supplements specialist who knows that choosing nutritional supplements can be difficult. Labels are confusing, oversight isn’t robust, and without an analysis of your situation, there’s no way to know what you should be taking. 

Dr. Petruzelli uses a test called the SpectraCell micronutrient test, which measures your levels of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids, and other indicators of your overall health. The results help her provide guidance about which vitamins and supplements will benefit you the most. 

Signs of vitamin deficiencies

A surprising number of people live with vitamin deficiencies but aren’t aware of it. Here are a few symptoms of common vitamin deficiencies to help you understand what happens to your body when you’re lacking certain vitamins. 

1. You’re tired no matter how much you rest

Do you get an appropriate amount of sleep but still feel like you’re dragging? A vitamin B12 deficiency can cause a constant feeling of tiredness. If you struggle to get moving in the mornings, or find yourself nodding during the day, or even just run down and weak, you may have this deficiency. 

2. Your bones hurt

Does it feel as though your bones hurt when you move or at the end of a long day? It could be a vitamin D deficiency. Your body makes vitamin D, but it requires sunlight to do so. Sunscreen and short winter days are two reasons you may not be able to produce enough vitamin D. 

3. You have an odd, specific burning sensation

Is your tongue burning even when you’re not eating or drinking something hot? What about your feet? If your B12 level falls especially low, you may feel a burning sensation in your tongue or feet. 

A B12 level that’s low enough to produce this sensation is dangerous, and it can cause permanent damage.

4. Your night vision isn’t great 

If you lack vitamin A, it can affect your vision, especially in the dark. A sufficiently low level of vitamin A can even cause night blindness. Of course, not seeing well at night could simply mean you need glasses or an updated prescription. The only way to know if it’s a vitamin deficiency is to have your levels tested. 

In some cases, you may not have any noticeable symptoms of a vitamin deficiency but you’re not enjoying optimal health. 

We have answers to your vitamin questions

Dr. Petruzzelli takes your overall health into account to prepare customized packs of high-quality vitamins and supplements. She bases her recommendation on test results, your nutritional needs, and your prescription medications to prevent adverse reactions.

To discuss your nutritional needs, contact BodyLogicMD today to make an appointment.