Why do I need a vitamin E test?
You may need a vitamin E test if you have symptoms of vitamin E deficiency (not getting or absorbing enough vitamin E) or of vitamin E excess (getting too much vitamin E).
Symptoms of a vitamin E deficiency include:
Muscle weakness
Slow reflexes
Difficulty or unsteady walking
Vision problems
Vitamin E deficiency is very rare in healthy people. Most of the time, vitamin E deficiency is caused by a condition where nutrients are not properly digested or absorbed. These include Crohn's disease, liver disease, cystic fibrosis, and some rare genetic disorders. Vitamin E deficiency may also be caused by a very low-fat diet.
Symptoms of vitamin E excess include:
Diarrhea
Nausea
Fatigue
Vitamin E excess is also rare. It's usually caused by taking too many vitamins. If not treated, excess vitamin E can lead to serious health problems, including an increased risk of stroke.
