Vitamin C deficiency occurs when the body does not get enough vitamin C or has difficulty absorbing the nutrient. Symptoms may include fatigue, general discomfort, loss of appetite, paleness, and dizziness.
Long-term vitamin C deficiency can lead to a condition known as scurvy. Scurvy may cause bleeding gums, loose teeth, tooth loss, and purple spots on the skin.
Treatment for vitamin C deficiency should be recommended by a healthcare provider and may also involve guidance from a registered dietitian. It may include eating more vitamin C-rich foods and taking oral vitamin C supplements.
Vitamin C deficiency symptoms
Symptoms of vitamin C deficiency include:
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Fatigue
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General malaise
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Paleness of the skin, lips, and eyes
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Dizziness
Long-term, persistent vitamin C deficiency can cause a serious condition known as scurvy. According to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, scurvy may cause bleeding gums, loose teeth, tooth loss, red or purple spots on the skin, and slow wound healing.
Confirming a diagnosis
Vitamin C deficiency is diagnosed by a healthcare provider based on a physical examination and a review of the person's diet and medical history. A registered dietitian may also help assess dietary intake and identify risk factors for vitamin C deficiency.
To confirm the diagnosis, a healthcare provider may order blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC) and a plasma vitamin C test.
According to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, plasma vitamin C levels are commonly used to assess vitamin C status because other available measurements are more difficult to perform and may be less reliable.
Main causes
Vitamin C deficiency is primarily caused by not getting enough vitamin C.
Low vitamin C levels can also occur because of conditions or factors that reduce nutrient absorption, such as malnutrition, smoking, bariatric surgery, hemodialysis, alcohol use disorder, inflammatory bowel disease, and celiac disease.
In addition, pregnancy, breastfeeding, severe burns, type 1 diabetes, and diarrhea can increase the body’s need for vitamin C or lead to nutrient loss. These factors may increase the risk of vitamin C deficiency.
Treatment options
Recommended treatments for vitamin C deficiency include:
1. Diet
To help treat vitamin C deficiency, a registered dietitian may recommend a healthy, well-balanced diet that includes vitamin C-rich foods, such as oranges, lemons, strawberries, bell peppers, broccoli, and arugula. Check out more vitamin C foods you can add to your diet.
2. Supplements
For scurvy, a healthcare provider may recommend vitamin C supplements. Recommended doses may range from 300 mg per day for children to 500 to 1,000 mg per day for adults, depending on the person's age and the severity of the deficiency.
Vitamin C supplements may be taken for one to three months or until symptoms improve, as directed by a healthcare provider.