Could You Have a Vitamin C Deficiency? 10 Symptoms to Watch For

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble vitamin important for immune support, heart health, iron absorption, and many bodily functions. A vitamin C deficiency can cause symptoms including fatigue, weakened immunity, skin issues, and, in severe cases, scurvy.

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1. Fatigue and Weakness

A common sign of vitamin deficiency is fatigue or weakness. Vitamin C plays a crucial role in energy production in the body cells, and its deficiency can lead to weakness and muscle aches.

One study demonstrated an improvement in fatigue symptoms among office workers following intravenous administration of vitamin C.

2. Easy Bruising and Slow Wound Healing

Vitamin C deficiency affects collagen production. Collagen (a protein that forms the connective tissues of the skin, hair, nails, joints, and blood vessels) is needed for maintaining healthy blood vessels, and impaired collagen production weakens blood vessels. These weak blood vessels can rupture, causing bleeding and easy bruising.

Decreased collagen production also interferes with tissue formation, causing slow healing of wounds. 

3. Weak Immune System

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for maintaining a healthy immune system. Low vitamin C levels can increase the risk of infection, resulting in a higher frequency of colds, flu, and other illnesses.

4. Weight Changes

Research has suggested that low vitamin C intake is linked to increased body fat, but the association is not completely understood. However, vitamin C deficiency may also lead to weight loss, especially since appetite loss is another symptom.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant. Antioxidants are substances that help prevent or slow cell damage. As a result, vitamin C may help regulate fat oxidation, or the process by which the body burns fat for energy.

As an antioxidant, vitamin C can also help reduce stress hormones and inflammation—factors that may also contribute to weight changes.

5. Weak Bones

Weak bones can be a symptom of vitamin C deficiency. Ascorbic acid in vitamin C is an essential nutrient involved in collagen formation, which contributes to the overall health and strength of bone tissue. A deficiency is associated with abnormal bone development, an increased fracture risk, and osteoporosis (a disease that causes weakened bones).

6. Swollen and Painful Joints

Joints are made up of collagen-rich connective tissues. Vitamin C plays a significant role in collagen formation. Swollen and painful joints can be a symptom of vitamin C deficiency, resulting from decreased collagen production. 

7. Gum and Tooth Problems

Low vitamin C levels cause gum weakening and inflammation, resulting in red, swollen, and bleeding gums. In severe cases, it may lead to weak dentin (layer of tissue underneath the tooth’s enamel) and, ultimately, tooth loss. Vitamin C can have a positive effect on the prevention of dental problems.

8. Skin Problems

The skin is a significant organ affected by decreased vitamin C levels. Vitamin C plays a key role in collagen production, a major component of skin tissues.

Vitamin C is also a powerful antioxidant for skin. The outer layer of skin contains a high amount of vitamin C, protecting it from a damaging environment and ultraviolet (UV) rays. Its deficiency may lead to dryness and wrinkles.

9. Reduced Iron Levels

Low levels of vitamin C may cause iron deficiency by reducing the absorption and metabolism of iron in the body. It can also be a scurvy-related anemia. This may result in scurvy-related anemia or iron deficiency anemia, especially if the deficiency is prolonged. Vitamin C deficiency can also increase bleeding, further raising the risk of anemia.

10. Depression

Vitamin C plays an important role in mental health. Vitamin C deficiency has been linked to depression, mood changes, and other neuropsychiatric symptoms.

People with scurvy can also be affected by depression and mood disorders. Consult your healthcare provider if you are experiencing any symptoms.

Scurvy: A Complication of Severe Vitamin C Deficiency

Severe vitamin C deficiency can lead to scurvy, a potentially fatal condition that develops over at least one to three months of severe deficiency, which is characterized by less than 10 milligrams (mg)/day intake for many weeks. However, scurvy is rare in developed countries.

The initial symptoms of scurvy include:

• Fatigue
• Muscle and joint pain
• Weight loss
• Emotional disturbances
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhea

Additional signs of scurvy include:

• Depression
• Swollen, bleeding gums
• Loosening or loss of teeth
• Iron deficiency anemia

Treatment is necessary, as scurvy can be otherwise fatal.

How to Prevent or Treat Vitamin C Deficiency

Supplementation is necessary to treat vitamin C deficiency, with dosage tailored to your needs and severity of the deficiency.

To prevent deficiency, you should aim to get enough vitamin C through a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Vitamin C-rich fruits include:

• Oranges
• Grapefruits
• Guava
• Kiwi fruit
• Papaya
• Lemons
• Limes
• Strawberries
• Blueberries
• Raspberries
• Cantaloupe

Vitamin C-rich vegetables include:

• Tomatoes
• Sweet peppers (red and green)
• Broccoli
• Spinach
• Kale
• Potatoes

If your diet falls short or you’re at higher risk, supplements can help maintain healthy levels. Commonly used supplements include:

• Sodium ascorbate
• Calcium ascorbate
• Ascorbic acid with bioflavonoids
• Ester-C

When To See a Healthcare Provider

If you suspect a vitamin C deficiency, consult a healthcare provider for testing, diagnosis, and supplement guidance if needed. You can also work with a registered dietitian to improve your dietary intake.

Talk to your healthcare provider about your specific vitamin C needs. Certain people may need additional intake of vitamin C, such as:

• Pregnant/breastfeeding people
• Smokers
• When recovering from surgery
• Recovering from burn injuries

Because a severe deficiency can lead to serious conditions like scurvy, timely treatment is important.

Key Takeaways

• Vitamin C, containing ascorbic acid, is an important water-soluble vitamin vital for many body functions.
• Low levels of vitamin C can cause symptoms such as a weakened immune system, fatigue, skin problems, bone and joint problems, and sometimes depression.
• In rare cases, extreme deficiency for many weeks may lead to a fatal condition, called scurvy.