vitamin deficiency

[paisa]

Hi everyone,

Myfriends and I disagree on this question:

A thin person who is also an alcoholic is at risk of which vitamin deficiency?

a)A b)B6 c)B12 d)C

Any idea? Thanks in advance.

[Eirene, ASN, RN]

my vote is for option b; vitamin b6.

my rationale (i know it doesn't make much sense), but thin alcoholics are at risk for dry beriberi, a thiamine (b1) deficiency.

b12 reminds me more of anemia.

so, i chose b6. :)

[CT Pixie, BSN, RN]

From what I am reading in my Nursing Fund book it specifically states that alcoholics are at increased risk for a Thiamine deficiency (B1). But it also mentions a Vit A deficincey can be contributed to excessive alcohol consumption.

Since your choices don't include thiamine (B1) I'd have to go with Vit A.

The ? says she is thin..but not underweight. So I personally wouldn't read it as underweight and would disregard it. Sticking just with the alcoholic aspect.

[lylega]

Vitamin B6 absorption is directly impaired by high quantity or chronic alcohol intake. Try Davis's Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests, 2nd edition, 2006

B12 deficiency tends to be caused by malnutrition or disturbances in bowel function such as surgery, tapeworms, diverticulitis, or overgrowth of normal intestinal flora. Vitamin B12 deficiency can also be caused by a condition called pernicious anemia, which is related to a lack of intrinsic factor that aids in intestinal absorption of vitamin B12.

Some sources will say "B vitamins in general," are deficient in alcoholism. Personally, I would go with the B6.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

of those listed: b6

vitamin deficiencies in alcoholism. alcoholics develop nutritional deficiencies both because alcohol abuse is frequently associated with poor diet and because of the effect of ingested alcohol on either absorption or processing of nutrients. two of the most important are b6, niacin, thiamin and folate. alcoholism is probably the most common condition in which thiamin and folate deficiencies are seen and, in its extreme form, causes the neurologic disorders known collectively as the wernicke-korsakoff syndrome. http://www.downstate.edu/suny/biochem/alcohol/alcohol_overview.html

click here for a case study of vitamin-deficient alcoholic

dietary supplement fact sheet: vitamin b6

[CT Pixie, BSN, RN]

You know how they always say stick with the first answer you think is correct..WHY do I never listen to myself?!! I originally thought one of the B vitamins since Thiamine is a B vit. And B6 was the one of the 2 B vits listed I picked first. And of course I underestimated myself and went with the A vit. Oh well.