Fatigue
Being deficient in thiamine can show up as fatigue (tiredness), which may come on quickly or over time, depending on the severity of the deficiency. Some sources suggest fatigue can occur within just a few weeks of deficiency.
This symptom makes sense, given the role of thiamine in converting food into energy. Not having enough thiamine in the body means that it cannot produce as much energy to use as fuel.
While fatigue is a widespread symptom that can indicate a number of other health conditions, many studies have linked it to thiamine deficiency.
In fact, some researchers suggest that fatigue should be prioritized when identifying early signs of thiamine deficiency among people at risk for it.
Irritability
Having a thiamine deficiency may cause some changes in your mood, such as making you more irritable or easily upset.
Feeling irritable is often among the earliest signs of thiamine deficiency, and it may present alongside fatigue within just a few weeks.
Babies with thiamine deficiency frequently express increased irritability as a symptom.
Nerve damage
Among the most well-known side effects of prolonged, severe thiamine deficiency (beriberi) is damage to the nerves, also known as neuropathy.
In fact, neuropathy from thiamine deficiency was among the first deficiency syndrome identified in humans.
There are two types of beriberi that can occur: wet beriberi and dry beriberi.
Wet beriberi includes heart failure, whereas dry beriberi occurs without heart failure. Wet beriberi is considered an emergency and can lead to death within a few days if not treated.
Potential symptoms of beriberi can include
tingling limbs
loss of sensitivity in feet and fingers
muscle weakness
rapid heartbeat
difficulty waking up
mental confusion
coordination problems
lower body paralysis (inability to move the legs)
Tingling arms and legs
Even though tingling — the sensation of prickliness and “pins and needles” in your arms and legs, also called paresthesia — can be a symptom of severe beriberi, it can also be an earlier symptom of thiamine deficiency. It generally comes before more widespread, brain-related symptoms.
Being deficient in thiamine can show up as fatigue (tiredness), which may come on quickly or over time, depending on the severity of the deficiency. Some sources suggest fatigue can occur within just a few weeks of deficiency.
This symptom makes sense, given the role of thiamine in converting food into energy. Not having enough thiamine in the body means that it cannot produce as much energy to use as fuel.
While fatigue is a widespread symptom that can indicate a number of other health conditions, many studies have linked it to thiamine deficiency.
In fact, some researchers suggest that fatigue should be prioritized when identifying early signs of thiamine deficiency among people at risk for it.
Irritability
Having a thiamine deficiency may cause some changes in your mood, such as making you more irritable or easily upset.
Feeling irritable is often among the earliest signs of thiamine deficiency, and it may present alongside fatigue within just a few weeks.
Babies with thiamine deficiency frequently express increased irritability as a symptom.
Nerve damage
Among the most well-known side effects of prolonged, severe thiamine deficiency (beriberi) is damage to the nerves, also known as neuropathy.
In fact, neuropathy from thiamine deficiency was among the first deficiency syndrome identified in humans.
There are two types of beriberi that can occur: wet beriberi and dry beriberi.
Wet beriberi includes heart failure, whereas dry beriberi occurs without heart failure. Wet beriberi is considered an emergency and can lead to death within a few days if not treated.
Potential symptoms of beriberi can include
tingling limbs
loss of sensitivity in feet and fingers
muscle weakness
rapid heartbeat
difficulty waking up
mental confusion
coordination problems
lower body paralysis (inability to move the legs)
Tingling arms and legs
Even though tingling — the sensation of prickliness and “pins and needles” in your arms and legs, also called paresthesia — can be a symptom of severe beriberi, it can also be an earlier symptom of thiamine deficiency. It generally comes before more widespread, brain-related symptoms.