Symptom 9: Nutritional Deficiencies
In the world of nutrition, deficiencies are usually tethered to dietary insufficiencies. However, with PanNETs, even those religiously following a balanced diet can find themselves grappling with nutritional gaps. This perplexing scenario traces back to the pancreas’s role in digestion and nutrient assimilation.
The pancreas secretes crucial enzymes that dismantle food into absorbable components. When PanNETs come into play, they can disrupt this enzymatic release. Consequently, food components, especially fats, remain undigested. This means essential fatty acids, fat-soluble vitamins (like A, D, E, and K), and other crucial nutrients might not make their way into the bloodstream, irrespective of dietary intake.
Deficiencies don’t stay silent for long. Depending on the nutrient in deficit, symptoms can vary. For instance, a vitamin D shortage might manifest as bone pain or muscle weakness. A deficit in vitamin A might dim vision, especially in dim light. Beyond specific signs, there’s a general aura of fatigue, susceptibility to infections due to a weakened immune system, and slow wound healing. (9)
