Symptoms of Not Getting Enough Vitamin E

January 11, 2026 •

4 min read

While vitamin E deficiency is rare in healthy individuals in developed countries, primarily occurring due to underlying fat malabsorption disorders, it can lead to serious neurological and immune problems. The body needs enough vitamin E to protect cells from damage and ensure proper nerve function, making it crucial to know what are the symptoms of not getting enough vitamin E.

Quick Summary

A lack of vitamin E can cause neurological and immune issues, manifesting as muscle weakness, coordination problems, vision deterioration, numbness, and tingling. It typically results from fat malabsorption disorders rather than diet alone.

Key Points

Neurological Issues: A lack of vitamin E commonly manifests as muscle weakness, coordination problems (ataxia), numbness, and tingling due to nerve damage.
Vision Problems: Deficiency can weaken retinal cells, leading to vision deterioration, impaired night vision, and, in severe cases, blindness.
Impaired Immune Function: Vitamin E is vital for immune support, and a deficiency can lead to a weakened immune system and increased susceptibility to infections.
Anemia Risk: Oxidative damage to red blood cells can cause hemolytic anemia, a particular risk for premature infants with low vitamin E reserves.
Risk Factors: The deficiency is rare from diet alone and is most often caused by fat malabsorption disorders like cystic fibrosis, Crohn's disease, or liver disease.
Gradual Onset: Symptoms often progress slowly over years, so early detection and management are key to preventing permanent damage.
Prevention and Management: Prevention for those at risk involves addressing the underlying condition and, if necessary, taking supplements under medical supervision.

The Critical Role of Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant essential for protecting the body's cells from oxidative stress, a process that damages cell membranes and is a precursor to various health problems. This vital nutrient is also instrumental in maintaining a healthy immune system and supporting neurological function throughout the body. Because it is fat-soluble, its absorption requires dietary fat, and a deficiency is most often linked to a condition that impairs fat absorption rather than simply a low-vitamin-E diet. Therefore, recognizing the potential consequences of a deficiency is crucial for individuals with such conditions.

Key Neurological Symptoms of Vitamin E Deficiency

Because vitamin E plays a protective role for the nervous system, its deficiency can lead to a cascade of neurological issues. The damage occurs because the protective fatty sheaths of neurons are compromised without enough antioxidants. The symptoms often progress slowly over time, making early detection challenging.

Impact on Motor Function

Muscle Weakness: A lack of vitamin E can cause oxidative stress in the muscles, resulting in weakness. This can manifest as general fatigue or a specific feeling of lack of strength.
Coordination and Gait Problems (Ataxia): Deficiency can harm specific nerve cells called Purkinje neurons, which are vital for coordinating movement. This leads to difficulties with coordination, unsteady walking, and impaired reflexes.
Numbness and Tingling (Peripheral Neuropathy): Damage to nerve fibers can disrupt the proper transmission of signals, causing numbness or a "pins and needles" sensation in the hands and feet.

Sensory and Cognitive Effects

Vision Deterioration: A vitamin E deficiency can weaken the light receptors in the retina and other cells in the eye, potentially leading to progressive vision loss. In severe cases, this can result in blindness.
Impaired Sensation: Individuals may lose proprioception, the sense that tells the body where the limbs are in space without looking. A decreased sense of vibration is also common.
Cognitive Issues: In later stages of a severe deficiency, some individuals may experience cognitive impairment, problems with concentration, and even dementia.

Weakened Immune System

Beyond its neurological effects, a vitamin E shortage can also compromise the body's immune response. This antioxidant plays a significant role in supporting T-cell function and protecting immune cells from oxidative damage, which is vital for fighting off infections and illnesses.

Symptoms related to immune function

Increased Susceptibility to Infections: A weakened immune system makes the body more vulnerable to bacterial and viral infections, such as respiratory illnesses.
Poor Wound Healing: The antioxidant properties of vitamin E are important for tissue repair, so a deficiency can slow the healing of cuts and sores.
Immune Cell Dysfunction: Studies suggest that a lack of vitamin E can inhibit the function of immune cells, making the immune system less effective.

Other Health Complications

While the neurological and immune symptoms are prominent, other health issues can arise from a severe, long-term vitamin E deficiency.

Hemolytic Anemia: This condition involves the destruction of red blood cells, which can be caused by oxidative damage. This is particularly a risk for premature infants with low vitamin E reserves.
Skin and Hair Issues: Some people with a deficiency may notice skin and hair issues, such as dry skin and brittle hair.

Comparison of Common Symptoms


Symptom Category	Early/Mild Deficiency	Severe/Progressive Deficiency
Neurological	Mild muscle weakness, reduced reflexes, slight coordination issues.	Significant muscle weakness, severe ataxia, loss of reflexes, numbness, and tingling.
Visual	Decreased night vision (nyctalopia), slight vision deterioration.	Significant loss of vision, potentially progressing to blindness; visual field constriction.
Sensory	Decreased proprioception (position sense), diminished vibratory sense.	Complete loss of proprioception and vibratory sense.
Immune	Mildly impaired immune response, increased susceptibility to minor infections.	Significant impairment of the immune system, leading to more frequent or severe infections.
Anemia	Generally not present in adults with mild deficiency.	Hemolytic anemia, especially in high-risk infants.

Who is at risk for deficiency?

While most people get sufficient vitamin E from their diet, certain groups and conditions increase the risk. Those with fat malabsorption disorders are the most vulnerable, as dietary fat is required for the absorption of vitamin E. This includes individuals with chronic conditions such as:

Cystic Fibrosis
Crohn's Disease
Liver disease (particularly cholestatic liver disease)
Pancreatitis
Celiac disease

Additionally, premature infants are at risk due to lower birth weight and underdeveloped digestive systems. Very low-fat diets can also contribute to a deficiency, as they limit the fat needed for vitamin E absorption.

Conclusion: Recognizing and Addressing Vitamin E Deficiency

Understanding what are the symptoms of not getting enough vitamin E is a crucial step towards maintaining overall health, especially for those with underlying conditions. The most common signs, including muscle weakness, vision problems, and poor coordination, typically manifest slowly and are tied to neurological damage. A compromised immune system and potential anemia are also significant concerns. For most healthy individuals, a balanced diet rich in nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, and leafy greens provides sufficient vitamin E. However, for those at a higher risk due to malabsorption issues, regular medical consultation and targeted supplementation may be necessary to prevent irreversible damage. If you suspect a deficiency, it is vital to consult a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

In healthy individuals, deficiency is extremely rare and unlikely to be caused by diet alone. The primary cause is most often an underlying fat malabsorption disorder, such as cystic fibrosis, Crohn's disease, or certain liver diseases, because vitamin E requires fat for proper absorption.

A deficiency in vitamin E can cause significant neurological problems by damaging nerve fibers due to a lack of antioxidant protection. This can lead to muscle weakness, impaired coordination (ataxia), reduced reflexes, and numbness and tingling in the extremities.

Yes, vitamin E deficiency can harm the light-sensitive cells in the retina and other parts of the eye. Over time, this can lead to vision deterioration, including difficulty seeing in low light (night blindness), and in severe, prolonged cases, it can cause blindness.

Yes, premature infants are particularly at risk for vitamin E deficiency because they have low reserves at birth. This can cause serious issues, including hemolytic anemia, where red blood cells are destroyed, and in rare cases, bleeding in the brain.

A lack of vitamin E can weaken the immune system by inhibiting the function of immune cells and reducing the body's ability to fight off infections. This can lead to increased susceptibility to illnesses and slower wound healing.

Excellent sources of vitamin E include nuts (like almonds and hazelnuts), seeds (especially sunflower seeds), vegetable oils (such as wheat germ, sunflower, and safflower oils), and green leafy vegetables like spinach and broccoli.

Diagnosis is typically confirmed by a healthcare provider through a blood test that measures vitamin E levels, often along with a physical exam. Treatment involves addressing the underlying cause and supplementing with vitamin E, which can reverse symptoms in most cases if caught early.