Riboflavin deficiency is a treatable nutritional deficiency that can cause cracked skin, sore throat, and gastrointestinal distress. It can be caused by an unbalanced diet or interference with absorption. Treatment involves riboflavin supplementation and lifestyle changes.
A riboflavin deficiency is a nutritional deficiency characterized by inadequate amounts of riboflavin, a B vitamin that plays an important role in a number of physical and metabolic processes. Usually, when someone has a riboflavin deficiency, the levels of other B vitamins in the body are also low. This condition is treatable with riboflavin supplementation to restore levels of riboflavin and other B vitamins, along with lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of the deficiency returning.
Riboflavin is found in foods such as dark green leafy vegetables, almonds, kidneys, cheese, milk and liver. The vitamin is sensitive to light and it is important to ensure these foods are stored in areas protected from light so they do not lose their nutritional value. Many people get enough riboflavin from their diet. People who eat unbalanced diets without enough riboflavin can develop primary riboflavin deficiency. Vitamin deficiencies are especially common in people with alcoholism or eating disorders who eat restricted diets.
In a secondary riboflavin deficiency, someone is consuming enough of the vitamin, but something in the body is interfering with absorption and uptake. The problem is most commonly located in the intestinal tract. These patients develop ariboflavinosis, the formal term for riboflavin deficiency, even though their diet is perfectly adequate. They may also have difficulty absorbing and utilizing other nutrients, in which case they may have multiple vitamin deficiencies despite eating a balanced, healthy diet.
Symptoms of riboflavin deficiency include cracked and sore skin, fissures on the sides of the mouth, sore throat and gastrointestinal distress. Patients may have a blood test to check blood riboflavin levels and to look for other B vitamins. An interview will be conducted with the patient to learn more about what the patient is eating. If the patient’s diet appears to provide adequate sources of riboflavin, secondary ariboflavinosis is suspected and further diagnostic testing may be needed to find out why the person is unable to absorb riboflavin.
Immediate treatment for riboflavin deficiency is riboflavin supplementation, usually in the form of oral vitamin pills. Periodic tests may be done to determine when levels of the vitamin have stabilized. The patient will also be advised to continue taking supplements and to consider making some dietary changes to reduce the risk of developing this condition again. In people with secondary riboflavin deficiency, additional treatment options may need to be explored to address the medical issue that is causing problems with vitamin absorption and utilization.
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