Vitamin E Deficiency

Most commonly results from

• Severe malabsorption (eg, cystic fibrosis)

• Abetalipoproteinemia (genetic disorder)

• Chronic cholestatic liver disease (including biliary atresia)

Areflexia

Disturbances of gait

Decreased vibration and proprioception

Ophthalmoplegia

Plasma vitamin E level below normal range of 0.5–0.7 mg/dL

Vitamin E supplementation, although optimum therapeutic dose has not been clearly defined

Large doses, often administered parenterally, can be used to improve the neurologic complications seen in abetalipoproteinemia and cholestatic liver disease

Several trials of supplemental vitamin E have shown slower cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer disease

Vitamin E supplementation may also provide benefit in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Supplemental vitamin E has no benefit in preventing cardiovascular disease or cancer