Kelly.oconnor: Created

2025-05-07T21:33:54Z

Created

New page

== What Does It Mean? ==
Vitamin A Deficiency occurs when the body lacks adequate levels of vitamin A (retinol), a fat-soluble vitamin essential for vision, immune function, skin health, and cellular growth. Deficiency can result in night blindness, immune dysfunction, and increased susceptibility to infections.

== How Did We Get There? ==

=== Root Causes: ===

* Poor Dietary Intake – Inadequate consumption of vitamin A-rich foods (liver, eggs, dairy, leafy greens, carrots).
* Malabsorption Disorders – Conditions such as celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, and liver disease impair fat-soluble vitamin absorption.
* Chronic Infections & Inflammation – Increased demand for vitamin A can lead to depletion.
* Zinc Deficiency – Zinc is necessary for vitamin A metabolism and transport.
* Excess Alcohol Consumption – Can impair liver function and vitamin A storage.

=== Signs & Symptoms: ===

* Night blindness and difficulty seeing in low-light conditions
* Dry, rough skin and hair
* Increased susceptibility to infections
* Delayed wound healing
* Bitot’s spots (foamy patches on the conjunctiva of the eye)
* Dry eyes (xerophthalmia)

== Lab Test Findings ==
{| class="wikitable"
|'''Lab Test Name'''
|'''Expected Change'''
|'''Optimal Range'''
|-
|Vitamin A (Retinol)
|Decreased
|57.00-66.00 ug/dL
|}

== How Do We Treat It? ==

=== Functional Medicine Approach: ===
Correcting vitamin A deficiency involves dietary modifications, gut health support, and targeted supplementation.

=== Supplement Protocol ===
{| class="wikitable"
|'''Supplement'''
|'''Function'''
|'''Dosage & Frequency'''
|-
|V-Pax
|Provides key mitochondrial micronutrients for cellular health
|4 capsules without food, daily
|}

=== Additional Lifestyle Interventions: ===

* Increase Vitamin A-Rich Foods: Include liver, egg yolks, dairy, leafy greens, carrots, and sweet potatoes.
* Enhance Fat Absorption: Support digestive health with probiotics and bile acid supplements.
* Support Liver Function: Ensure proper vitamin A storage and utilization.
* Monitor Zinc Levels: Zinc is necessary for proper vitamin A metabolism.

Vitamin A Deficiency - Revision history

Kelly.oconnor: Created