Vitamin E Deficiency and Peripheral Edema

Excerpt

To the Editor: Vitamin E deficiency resulting from prolonged fat malabsorption is associated with a progressive neuromyopathy and ophthalmoplegia. In abetalipoproteinemia, retinopathy and neurologic manifestations may be prevented by vitamin E supplementation (1). In infants with very low birthweight, vitamin E deficiency may present as hemolytic anemia and edema (2). Vitamin E deficiency has not been implicated as a cause of edema in any other age group.

We recently treated a 32-year-old woman who had had bilateral asymmetrical pitting edema of the lower limbs since 17 years of age. Blood protein levels, cardiac studies, Doppler venous recordings, and thyroid function