- Examination of the nervous/muscular system may show polyneuropathy (damage to multiple nerve systems).
- Reflexes may be decreased (or of abnormal intensity), or abnormal reflexes may be present.
- Testing of gait and coordination indicates damage to portions of the brain that control muscle coordination.
- Muscles may be weak and may show atrophy (loss of tissue mass).
- Examination of the eyes shows abnormalities of eye movement.
-
Blood pressure and body temperature measurement may be low.
-
Pulse (heart rate) may be rapid.
The person may appear cachectic (malnourished). A nutritional assessment may confirm malnourished state.
- Serum B1 levels may be low.
- Pyruvate is elevated.
- Transketolase activity is decreased.
If the history is significant for chronic (long-term) alcohol abuse, serum or urine alcohol levels may be elevated (see toxicology screen) and liver enzymes may be elevated.
Other chronic conditions that may cause a thiamine deficiency include the following:
- AIDS
- Hyperemesis gravidarum (continuous nausea and vomiting during pregnancy)
- Thyrotoxicosis (very high thyroid hormone levels)
- Cancers that have spread throughout the body
- Long-term dialysis
- Congestive heart failure, when treated with long-term diuretic therapy
A brain MRI rarely shows changes in the tissue of the brain indicating Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
|
