Vitamin B3 Deficiency - Medtick
Medtick

Vitamin B3 Deficiency

What is it?

Deficiency disease

  • Pellagra

Diseases causing vitamin B3 deficiency

  • Persons consuming large quantities of indian corn (maize), for some it is their main part of diet (the vitamins, niacin and Tryptophan is not absorbed)
  • Persons who eat millet (small seed of cereal and crops) with high leucine content
  • Diarrhoea
  • Cirrhosis (liver disease)
  • Alcoholism
  • Hartnup disease

Syndromes

  • Carcinoid syndrome (group of symptoms associated with tumours of the small intestine, colon, appendix, and bronchial tubes in the lungs)
  • Gastrointestinal diseases i.e.

Medications

  • Azathioprine
  • 5-fluorouracil
  • Isoniazid
  • Pyrazinamide ehtionamide
  • 6-mercaptopurin
  • Hydantoins
  • Phenobarbital
  • Chloramphenicol

Signs and Symptoms of Deficiency

  • Pigmented rash – light sensitive, cracked and dry symmetrical rash develop on hands (glove-like appearance), feet (boot shaped appearance) and sun-exposed skin
  • Scaly skin sores
  • Butterfly rash on face
  • Diarrhoea
  • Confused
  • Balance and dizziness
  • General discomfort (muscle weakness), uneasiness or ill feeling (malaise) and/or fatigue (tiredness)
  • Irritated , anxiety and/or depressed
  • Hot and red swollen burning mouth and tongue
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Heartburn
  • Abdominal discomfort
  • Constipation and then later diarrhoea (could be bloody)
  • Loss of appetite

Nail changes:

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Vitamin B3 Deficiency in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

© Medtick - 2025. All Rights Reserved.