KIN 343 - 11.19 Vitamin B5 Deficiency

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) Deficiency

Overview of Deficiency Impact

• Vitamin B5 is critical for neurological function.

• Unlike other B vitamins, deficiencies in B5 do not lead to severe symptoms or widespread effects.

• Major deficiency symptoms are mostly related to neurological problems but are less drastic compared to deficiencies in other B vitamins (e.g., niacin).

Common Symptoms of Deficiency

• Burning Feet Syndrome: The primary symptom associated with vitamin B5 deficiency.

  • Characterized by numbness in toes and burning sensations in the feet.

  • Symptoms worsened by warmth and relieved by cold (e.g., cold water).

• Other diffuse symptoms may include:

  • Vomiting

  • Fatigue

  • Weakness

  • Restlessness

  • Irritability

Rarity of Deficiency

• Deficiency in pantothenate is rare due to its ubiquity in various foods.

• Typically does not present in isolation; often occurs with other micronutrient deficiencies (e.g., malnutrition, starvation, alcoholism).

• Patients with an overall lack of nutrition may experience symptoms related to B5 deficiency among other deficiencies.

Personal Experience

• Personal anecdote shared about experiencing Burning Feet Syndrome due to previous deficiencies that may have stemmed from celiac disease.

• Note about how it can take a while to identify symptoms as related to vitamin deficiency.