Thiamine deficiency can cause some worrying symptoms such as tiredness, weakness and palpitations. This was discovered after a young man complained of these symptoms. Doctors couldn’t find out why he was experiencing these symptoms but after a neurologist thought about thiamine deficiency, they were able to find the cause and treat him quickly.
Thiamine is an essential nutrient needed for your body to convert carbohydrates into energy. It also plays an essential role in keeping your heart, muscles and nerves working correctly. If there isn’t enough Thiamine in your body you may experience symptoms commonly associated with other conditions. Common symptoms include tiredness due to the lack of energy your body can create, and palpitations and weakness in your muscles as your heart and muscles aren’t getting enough energy.
There are several reasons why you may have low thiamine in your body. A diet high in processed foods can contribute to you lacking this essential nutrient. If you suffer with certain gut issues you may struggle to absorb thiamine. This was the issue with the young man, he had gut issues meaning he couldn’t absorb enough thiamine.
It can be difficult to know if you have thiamine deficiency as there are many other conditions with similar symptoms. If you are suffering with unexplained tiredness, weakness or palpitations, and also have gut issues you should consider thiamine deficiency. If it isn’t picked up early you can suffer with more serious health issues. Nerve damage and heart disease can occur if left untreated.
Thiamine deficiency can be easily treated. Eating foods high in thiamine such as wholegrains, pork, nuts and seeds can help increase the amount in your diet. If you have issues absorbing thiamine such as certain gut issues you may need to take thiamine supplements. This can help quickly increase the amount in your body and reduce symptoms.
If you think you may have a thiamine deficiency you should see a healthcare professional who can run the correct tests. It is not advised to self diagnose and treat as there may be other health issues.
This case shows how important it is to think about nutritional deficiencies when diagnosing. Whilst our diets today can often give us enough nutrients, certain lifestyle choices, health issues and diets can cause deficiencies. Knowing the importance of essential nutrients such as thiamine can help you make informed decisions about your health.
Overall eating a balanced diet with plenty of essential vitamins and minerals will help prevent deficiencies. Being aware of what you’re eating and knowing the symptoms can help you make positive changes to your health.