Peripheral neuropathy can be caused by nutritional deficiencies, including which vitamin?

Peripheral neuropathy can be caused by nutritional deficiencies, including which vitamin?

• A. Vitamin D deficiency
• B. Vitamin E deficiency
• C. Vitamin B12 deficiency
• D. Vitamin A deficiency

Answer: (C)

Peripheral neuropathy from nutritional causes is most classically linked to vitamin B12 because it is essential for maintaining myelin around peripheral nerves. When B12 is deficient, demyelination occurs, leading to sensory symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and proprioceptive loss, which can appear with or without anemia. In older adults, B12 deficiency often results from pernicious anemia or malabsorption, and it can arise with vegan diets or certain medications. Other vitamins listed are less typical culprits for a neuropathy. Vitamin D deficiency mainly affects bones and muscles; Vitamin E deficiency can cause neuropathy but is rare and usually seen with fat-malabsorption syndromes; Vitamin A deficiency is known for vision and immune problems, not peripheral neuropathy. If B12 deficiency is suspected, testing and treatment focus on replenishing B12 and addressing the underlying cause.

Peripheral neuropathy from nutritional causes is most classically linked to vitamin B12 because it is essential for maintaining myelin around peripheral nerves. When B12 is deficient, demyelination occurs, leading to sensory symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and proprioceptive loss, which can appear with or without anemia. In older adults, B12 deficiency often results from pernicious anemia or malabsorption, and it can arise with vegan diets or certain medications.

Other vitamins listed are less typical culprits for a neuropathy. Vitamin D deficiency mainly affects bones and muscles; Vitamin E deficiency can cause neuropathy but is rare and usually seen with fat-malabsorption syndromes; Vitamin A deficiency is known for vision and immune problems, not peripheral neuropathy.

If B12 deficiency is suspected, testing and treatment focus on replenishing B12 and addressing the underlying cause.