A vitamin deficiency isn’t good, of course, but it’s probably something you assume won’t have major ramifications. If you don’t have enough vitamins, you expect issues like fatigue, weight loss or brittle hair and nails. You also assume it’s something you can fix over time, and you figure you’ll recover with dietary changes.
The reality, though, is that some deficiencies can have ramifications that are vastly more serious than that. One is a thiamine deficiency, also known as a B1 deficiency. This deficiency can even lead to brain damage in some cases.
How does a B1 deficiency happen?
There are many reasons you could have a deficiency, which your doctor should be aware of. For instance, women who are pregnant may face higher risks, as may those who eat excessive amounts of carbohydrates.
When this deficiency is not treated or diagnosed and becomes acute, it can cause lesions to form in the brain. When these lesions are near vulnerable areas, they can cause irreparable damage. Even if the underlying deficiency is then diagnosed and addressed, your brain may never fully heal. Any skills you have lost may not be recovered. Brain tissue is notoriously fragile and often it is impossible for full regeneration and healing of these cells to take place.
Did your doctor make a mistake?
As you can see, a B1 deficiency may be far more serious than you assumed. Your doctor should know this, should see the signs and should provide proper treatment long before things get to be this dire. If your doctor made an error that allowed your condition to get worse, then you need to understand your legal options.