Written by Brandon Okey. Mina Draskovic, B.Psy., reviewed this content for accuracy.
Thiamine deficiency occurs when your body doesn’t have enough vitamin B1 (thiamine). This nutrient is heavily involved in energy production and nerve function. A 2019 article reveals that the symptoms span from mild neurological and psychiatric to severe encephalopathy, heart failure, muscle atrophy, and even death.
Chronic drinking is one of the leading causes of thiamine deficiency because alcohol interferes with the body’s ability to absorb and use this vital nutrient. If alcohol addiction is starting to damage your health, at Ardu’s alcohol treatment program, you’ll find the support and care you need to stop drinking and turn your life around.
Thiamine, also known as vitamin B1, is an essential water-soluble nutrient and a key player in converting the food we eat into energy our cells can use.
Thiamine is one of the most important vitamins for your health because:
Low amounts of thiamine disrupt these delicate processes and lead to a cascade of metabolic problems that affect nearly all vital organ systems.
The body does not produce thiamine alone and can only store small amounts, so you need to keep getting it from your diet regularly. Vitamin B1 is found in whole grains, legumes, nuts, and fortified foods. However, certain factors can impair thiamine absorption or increase its excretion despite proper supplementation.
Thiamine deficiency disorders (TDDs) encompass a range of medical conditions that result from inadequate levels of vitamin B1 in the body. These disorders include beriberi, which affects the cardiovascular system, and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, which impacts the nervous system.
TDDs are clinical manifestations of thiamine deficiency. Someone can be thiamine deficient without immediately showing symptoms of a TDD, but as the deficiency progresses or becomes more severe, it leads to a spectrum of these disorders.
TDDs can affect anyone, but people with eating disorders, those who’ve had bariatric surgery, and individuals with HIV/AIDS are at higher risk. Pregnant and breastfeeding women also have increased thiamine needs and may be at risk if their diet is inadequate. TDD is common in parts of the world where polished rice is a dietary staple because the polishing process removes thiamine from white rice.
Thiamine deficiency produces diverse symptoms that often overlap with other conditions. Here are the main symptoms:
Thiamine deficiency manifests through neurological symptoms because vitamin B1 contributes to nerve function and brain health. The brain relies heavily on glucose metabolism, which requires thiamine, so a lack of this vitamin impacts neurological processes.
A 2021 study explains that thiamine deficiency disrupts energy metabolism in neurons, causing oxidative stress and impaired neurotransmission. This triggers neurological symptoms, from peripheral neuropathies to cognitive impairment and ataxia (loss of muscle coordination). In severe cases, a lack of vitamin B1 can cause structural changes in the brain, especially in areas with high metabolic demands.
The six key neurological manifestations of thiamine deficiency are:
Proper diagnosis of thiamine deficiency is often delayed because TDDs are often overlooked or mistaken for other conditions. If left undiagnosed, thiamine deficiency can progress to severe neurological complications and may result in permanent brain damage or even death.
Thiamine aids the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach and the proper functioning of the smooth muscles in the gastrointestinal tract. Vitamin B1 is absorbed in the small intestine and transported throughout the body using specific carriers. Low levels of thiamine disrupt normal absorption and transport processes in the digestive system
Dhir, et. al. postulate that thiamine also plays a role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, so its deficiency affects the body’s ability to process and turn food into energy.
The most common gastrointestinal signs of thiamine deficiency include:
Many alcoholics struggle with malnutrition because alcohol not only depletes thiamine but also interferes with the absorption and metabolism of other essential nutrients. Ardu’s addiction treatment programs include nutritional therapy to restore the balance of vitamins and minerals and address the nutritional deficits caused by long-term alcohol abuse.
Thiamine supports energy production in heart muscle cells and helps regulate heart rhythm through proper nerve function. Low thiamine levels impair the heart’s ability to generate energy efficiently. This condition, wet beriberi, severely affects heart function and blood circulation.
Thiamine deficiency has been suggested to be associated with many cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and risk factors including type 1 and type 2 diabetes (T1D and T2D, respectively), obesity, chronic vascular inflammation, dyslipidemia, heart failure (HF), myocardial infarction (MI) and conduction defects, and depression. (Eshak and Arafa)
A group of American researchers posits that thiamine deficiency impairs ATP production, weakens heart muscle function, and leads to congestive heart failure. Over time, myocardial weakness worsens, which progresses to low-output heart failure and potential cardiovascular collapse.
Here are the main heart and blood vessel problems you might see if you’re low on thiamine:
Thiamine deficiency can impact mental health and cognitive function. It has been linked to depression, anxiety, confusion, and memory problems in both adults and children. Since thiamine is essential for glucose metabolism in the brain, a deficiency can reduce the energy supply to brain cells, impair their function, and lead to emotional disturbances.
A 2019 study on neurological, psychiatric, and biochemical signs of vitamin B1 deficiency reveals more severe neurological conditions such as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, which causes severe memory loss and cognitive impairment.
Zhang, et. al. propose that lower levels of thiamine in the blood were associated with a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms in older Chinese adults.
Here are the emotional symptoms caused by thiamine deficiency:
Addiction rarely travels alone. Many heavy drinkers find themselves battling depression, anxiety, or other mood disorders alongside their alcohol use disorder (AUD). It’s a vicious cycle—drinking depletes thiamine, worsening mental health, which can then drive more drinking.
Our dual diagnosis program tackles both substance abuse and mental health issues simultaneously to give you a real shot at lasting recovery. We don’t just patch up symptoms; we dig deep to address the root causes of your struggles by equipping you with the tools to build a healthier, more balanced life.
Contact Ardu Recovery Center and talk to our specialists about how to break free from addiction and rebuild your mental health.
Thiamine deficiency affects many parts of your body beyond just your brain, heart, gut, and emotions. Here are ten other ways low thiamine levels can show up in your body:
Thiamine deficiency can quickly become a serious health issue if left unaddressed. If you recognize any of these signs in yourself or a loved one, don’t hesitate to seek medical help. Whether your low thiamine levels stem from diet, alcohol use, or other factors, get professional care right now.
Many everyday factors can deplete your body’s thiamine reserves, often without you noticing—what you eat, certain medical treatments and even stress may lower thiamine levels.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), low thiamine intake is most often associated with diets heavily reliant on polished rice or other low-thiamine staple foods. The study mentions that food processing, certain cooking methods, and consumption of thiamine antagonists contribute to reduced thiamine availability in the body.
Here are ten factors that lead to or contribute to thiamine depletion:
If your thiamine deficiency is related to alcohol use, Ardu’s alcohol detox center helps you safely manage withdrawal symptoms and address nutritional deficiencies. We strive to give you the best chance at a full recovery.
Alcohol severely depletes thiamine levels. The more you drink, the faster your body loses vitamin B1. Martin, et. al. explain that heavy alcohol consumption disrupts how cells use thiamine for essential functions.
An article on alcohol-induced vitamin B1 deficiency investigates why chronic heavy drinkers often lack this essential nutrient.
Ardu Recovery Center addresses many of the root causes of thiamine deficiency, mainly those related to alcohol abuse and poor nutrition. Our comprehensive approach includes medical detox, nutritional therapy, and counseling to help you safely withdraw from alcohol, replenish vital nutrients such as thiamine, and develop healthier habits for long-term wellness.
Infantile thiamine deficiency, or infantile beriberi, is a serious condition that affects breastfed infants of thiamine-deficient mothers. It’s prevalent in regions with high polished rice consumption and areas with widespread alcohol abuse.
Breast milk is the primary thiamine source for infants, but its thiamine content directly reflects the mother’s nutritional status. Mothers may be unaware of their own thiamine deficiency because the symptoms can be subtle or mistaken for normal postpartum fatigue. Symptoms of infantile thiamine deficiency include:
Infants can lack thiamine while breastfed if their mothers are thiamine deficient. This often occurs as a result of:
Severe cases may progress to wet beriberi (affecting the heart) or encephalitic beriberi (impacting the brain). Both require immediate medical intervention.
Recovering from thiamine deficiency takes time, and the duration is different for each person. Those with mild deficiency may feel better within days of starting supplements while thiamine-deficient people, especially if it has affected their nervous system, may need weeks or months to see significant improvement.
For thiamine deficiency caused by alcohol abuse, recovery involves both thiamine supplementation and stopping alcohol consumption. While some symptoms may improve quickly, full recovery often requires several months.
Unfortunately, severe thiamine deficiency can cause permanent damage in some cases. Early treatment can prevent further harm and improve existing symptoms. Even after initial recovery, most people need to continue taking supplements and maintain a thiamine-rich diet to prevent the deficiency from recurring.
At Ardu, we understand that overcoming alcohol addiction requires more than just treatment—it’s about restoring health, vitality, and emotional well-being. Our drug and alcohol rehab center guides you through every stage of recovery, from detox to long-term sobriety, while addressing your physical, emotional, and mental health.
Your journey begins with a medically supervised detox, where we help safely remove alcohol from your system. We also offer holistic detox options that promote overall well-being by addressing both the body and mind. After detox, you’ll transition into rehab, where you’ll have access to individual and group therapy sessions tailored to treat alcohol addiction.
We offer a range of therapies that not only focus on overcoming addiction but also on revitalizing your health. Some of these include:
Ardu’s compassionate and experienced team is here to walk with you every step of the way. Whether you choose our residential treatment facilities or outpatient programs, we are committed to helping you achieve lasting recovery and restored well-being.
Contact Ardu today to discuss your unique needs and start your journey toward health and freedom from alcohol addiction.
Brandon Okey is the co-founder of Ardu Recovery Center and is dedicated to empowering people on their journey to sobriety.
Coffee contains tannins, which are anti-thiamine compounds that bind to thiamine and block its absorption. Chronic coffee consumption can reduce thiamine levels, increasing the risk of thiamine deficiency. The risk of deficiency is higher in individuals with poor dietary intake or alcohol use disorder because they further deplete thiamine stores.
Health care providers recommend limiting excessive coffee intake to avoid aggravating thiamine deficiency, which can lead to dry beriberi, cardiovascular beriberi, and neurological issues such as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
Several conditions mimic thiamine deficiency because of overlapping symptoms:
Excess thiamine from supplements is rare since thiamine is water-soluble, meaning any excess is excreted through urine. If you do take very high doses of parenteral thiamine or oral thiamine supplements (above 500 mg per day), you may experience mild side effects such as:
While these effects are uncommon, follow appropriate dosage recommendations. Administration of thiamine should always follow healthcare provider guidelines to avoid any potential risks.
Excessive thiamine intake is not typically linked to anxiety. Thiamine deficiency, rather than excess, is associated with mood disorders such as anxiety, depression, and irritability. Thiamine is necessary for neurotransmitter production, so proper levels regulate mental status.
In rare cases, high doses of thiamine from supplements might cause overstimulation or restlessness, but these instances are uncommon. For people with alcohol use disorder or poor dietary intake, supplementing with thiamine can reduce symptoms of anxiety, especially if deficiency-related.
The recommended daily intake of thiamine varies by age and life stage:
Higher doses are safe when treating thiamine deficiency, with up to 100 mg/day commonly prescribed. In severe cases, such as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome or cardiac beriberi, parenteral thiamine doses of 100–500 mg may be given by health care providers.
Thiamine is given to infants to prevent or treat thiamine deficiency disease. In clinical settings, doctors may administer thiamine when infants show signs of poor intake or chronic deficiency. This is especially important for breastfed infants whose mothers have low dietary thiamine intakes. Thiamine supplementation can rapidly improve symptoms and prevent serious complications like beriberi. In some cases, pharmacological doses quickly restore thiamine levels.
For infants with severe deficiency or those at high risk, thiamine replacement therapy is prescribed. It involves administering thiamine to quickly restore adequate levels in the body, while infant formula is fortified with thiamine. This therapy is needed for proper brain development, mitochondrial functions, and overall growth in infants. Without sufficient thiamine, infants may experience developmental delays, neurological problems, and impaired energy metabolism at the cellular level.
Infantile beriberi typically affects infants between 2 and 6 months of age. The risk of deficiency can start from birth, especially in areas with a high prevalence of thiamine deficiency among pregnant women. A retrospective study of Cambodian infants showed cases as early as 3 weeks old.
The onset can vary based on maternal thiamine intake during pregnancy and postpartum. Breastfed infants are particularly vulnerable if maternal thiamine status is poor. Early diagnosis relies on recognizing clinical symptoms and sometimes erythrocyte transketolase activity measurements.
Wet and dry beriberi are two types of beriberi caused by thiamine deficiency:
Both types can be treated with thiamine supplements, and in severe cases, parenteral thiamine administration is needed to address the condition.
Korsakoff’s syndrome, often linked to chronic thiamine deficiency and alcohol use disorder, presents with the following signs:
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a result of prolonged thiamine deficiency, often seen in alcohol use disorder patients with poor dietary intake. Treatment with high doses of parenteral thiamine can improve symptoms if administered promptly.
Alcoholics need folic acid because alcohol inhibits the absorption of this vital nutrient, leading to folate deficiency. Folic acid is needed for DNA synthesis, cell division, and red blood cell production. Alcoholics are at a higher risk for thiamine deficiency because of poor dietary intake and damage to the digestive system caused by alcohol. Deficiency can result in anemia, fatigue, and cognitive impairments, similar to those seen in thiamine deficiency.
Dhir, S., Tarasenko, M., Napoli, E., & Giulivi, C. (2019). Neurological, Psychiatric, and Biochemical Aspects of Thiamine Deficiency in Children and Adults. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10, 447129. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00207
Smith, T. J., Johnson, C. R., Koshy, R., Hess, S. Y., Qureshi, U. A., Mynak, M. L., & Fischer, P. R. (2021). Thiamine deficiency disorders: A clinical perspective. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1498(1), 9-28. https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.14536
Eshak, E., & Arafa, A. (2018). Thiamine deficiency and cardiovascular disorders. Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, 28(10), 965-972. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.numecd.2018.06.013
Helali, J., Park, S., Ziaeian, B., Han, J. K., & Lankarani-Fard, A. (2019). Thiamine and Heart Failure: Challenging Cases of Modern-Day Cardiac Beriberi. Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Innovations, Quality & Outcomes, 3(2), 221-225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocpiqo.2019.03.003
Dhir, S., Tarasenko, M., Napoli, E., & Giulivi, C. (2019). Neurological, Psychiatric, and Biochemical Aspects of Thiamine Deficiency in Children and Adults. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00207
Zhang, G., Ding, H., Chen, H., Ye, X., Li, H., Lin, X., & Ke, Z. (2012). Thiamine Nutritional Status and Depressive Symptoms Are Inversely Associated among Older Chinese Adults. The Journal of Nutrition, 143(1), 53-58. https://doi.org/10.3945/jn.112.167007
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