{"id":4406,"date":"2025-07-17T07:12:10","date_gmt":"2025-07-17T07:12:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/4406\/"},"modified":"2025-07-17T07:12:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T07:12:10","slug":"7-signs-of-a-vitamin-b2-deficiency-doctors-want-you-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/4406\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Signs of a Vitamin B2 Deficiency Doctors Want You to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s hard to go a day without someone on social media declaring that you\u2019re probably deficient in a vitamin<\/a> and need to take a supplement. While it\u2019s easy to get immune to concerns about nutrient deficiencies, as a result, these do happen. One to have on your radar is signs of a vitamin B2 deficiency.<\/p>\n

Also known as riboflavin, vitamin B2 deficiency isn\u2019t overly common in the U.S. However, having an underlying thyroid issue<\/a>, being a vegetarian or vegan, and being pregnant or breastfeeding may raise your risk of being deficient in riboflavin, according to the National Institutes of Health<\/a> (NIH). <\/p>\n

Meet the experts: Ife J. Rodney, M.D., is a dermatologist and founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics<\/a>; Christine Greves, M.D.<\/a>, is an ob\/gyn at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies in Orlando, Fla; Scott Keatley, R.D., co-owner of Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy<\/a>; Jessica Cording, R.D<\/a>., author of The Little Book of Game-Changers<\/a>; and Keri Gans, R.D.N., dietitian and host of The Keri Report podcast<\/a><\/p>\n

Vitamin B2 plays a role in a range of processes in the body, including your energy levels and metabolism, per the U.S. National Library of Medicine<\/a>. It\u2019s also crucial for normal cell growth and function. The recommended daily allowance<\/a> of riboflavin is 1.1 milligrams for most adult women (that jumps to 1.4 milligrams and 1.6 milligrams when you\u2019re pregnant and breastfeeding, respectively), and 1.3 milligrams for most adult men.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, if you\u2019re consistently falling short of that amount, you may end up dealing with uncomfortable symptoms. Vitamin B2 isn\u2019t a nutrient most people are familiar with, and it\u2019s fair to be unclear on what the signs of a riboflavin deficiency actually are. Here\u2019s what you need to know. <\/p>\n

What are the symptoms of low vitamin B2?<\/p>\n

Some symptoms of low vitamin B2 overlap with a slew of underlying health conditions, making it tricky to say for sure if you\u2019re dealing with a vitamin B2 deficiency or something else. But if you notice one or several of these at once, it\u2019s worth consulting a healthcare professional for a deeper dive into your health. <\/p>\n

Fatigue<\/p>\n

The cause of fatigue is an admittedly tough thing to pin down. Have you been working out too hard? Are you getting enough iron? Is your sleep off? Or is it your vitamin B2 levels? You can develop anemia, a condition where your body doesn\u2019t have enough healthy red blood cells, when you have too-low levels of riboflavin over a longer period of time, according to the NIH. Among other things, that can make you feel weak and fatigued. But there\u2019s another reason why a lack of riboflavin can make you feel tired, according to Keri Gans, R.D.N., dietitian and host of The Keri Report podcast<\/a>. \u201cRiboflavin helps your body convert carbohydrates into fuel and plays a big role in how your cells produce energy,\u201d she says. \u201cFatigue can happen when that process breaks down.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cracked lips<\/p>\n

Again, this may be due to something else, including not taking in enough liquids regularly. But cracked lips may also be a sign of low B2, according to Ife J. Rodney, M.D., a dermatologist and founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics<\/a>. \u201cRiboflavin helps with moisture retention,\u201d she says. If you\u2019re low in the nutrient, your lips\u2019 natural moisture can suffer as a result, leading to cracking and even bleeding. <\/p>\n

Crusty corners of the mouth<\/p>\n

This is a more unique symptom of riboflavin deficiency, leading to lesions at the corners of your mouth. \u201cYou may get scaling or cracking in the corners of the mouth,\u201d Dr. Rodney says. (This may even show up in the corners of your mouth and ears, she adds.) <\/p>\n

Scaly patches on your skin<\/p>\n

Scaly patches can be a symptom of several skin conditions, but they may also be due to a lack of B2. \u201cRiboflavin helps with tissue repair and cell turnover,\u201d Dr. Rodney explains. \u201cAny time you have issues with tissue repair or cell turnover, that\u2019s when you get cracking or scaling.\u201d These scaly patches will often look red or discolored from your usual skin color, she says. <\/p>\n

Sore throat<\/p>\n

Riboflavin deficiency may cause swelling in your mouth and throat, making it feel like you have a sore throat, according to the NIH. \u201cSince riboflavin is also crucial for overall cell function, low levels can affect fast-healing areas like the skin and mouth, leading to symptoms like a sore throat,\u201d Gans says. <\/p>\n

Unexplained hair loss<\/p>\n

That cell turnover that can impact the health of your lips and skin may also affect your hair, Dr. Rodney says. When you don\u2019t have enough riboflavin, it can impact the production of collagen, a type of protein that supports hair follicle (and skin) health.<\/p>\n

Reproductive issues<\/p>\n

Fertility is incredibly complicated, and it\u2019s hard to say that adding more B2 to your diet will magically help you conceive. But not having enough riboflavin can interfere with several areas of reproduction, including the development of sperm and eggs, and ovulation, along with early development of the embryo, says Christine Greves, M.D.<\/a>, an ob\/gyn at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies in Orlando, Fla. (Worth noting: Many prenatal vitamins contain riboflavin.) Still, this isn\u2019t usually a go-to solution for doctors when you\u2019re struggling to conceive. \u201cI don\u2019t ask someone when they\u2019re trying to get pregnant if they\u2019re taking riboflavin,\u201d Dr. Greves says. \u201cBut I do say that you should be having well-balanced meals.\u201d<\/p>\n

How to tell if you have a vitamin B2 deficiency<\/p>\n

Ultimately, if you suspect you might have a vitamin B2 deficiency, it\u2019s important to see a healthcare provider for a proper evaluation. \u201cA blood test is the gold standard,\u201d says Jessica Cording, R.D<\/a>., author of The Little Book of Game-Changers<\/a>. \u201cThis will give you information on how deficient you may be.\u201d You and your healthcare provider can make decisions on next steps from there. <\/p>\n

Which foods are rich in vitamin B2?<\/p>\n

There are a few food sources of vitamin B2 to consider adding to your diet. According to the NIH, some of the biggest ones include:<\/p>\n

Beef liver, 3 ounces, 2.9 milligrams Fortified breakfast cereals, 1 serving, 1.3 milligrams Oats, 1 cup, 1.1 milligrams Plain yogurt, 1 cup, 0.6 milligrams 2% milk, 1 cup, 0.5 milligramsHow much B2 do I need?<\/p>\n

B2 recommendations vary slightly by age, sex, and life phase. Most genetic adult women need 1.1 milligrams a day of riboflavin, according to the NIH. However, those who are pregnant need 1.4 milligrams and those who are breastfeeding need 1.6 milligrams. <\/p>\n

Most genetic adult men need 1.3 milligrams daily of riboflavin, per the NIH. <\/p>\n

How can I increase my B2 naturally?<\/p>\n

Adding more B2-rich foods to your diet can help, Dr. Rodney says. \u201cI recommend mostly focusing on your diet,\u201d she says. If that doesn\u2019t seem to help, she says a supplement may work\u2014just consult a healthcare provider first about the proper dosing. <\/p>\n

Vitamin B2 risks<\/p>\n

There are a few things that may happen when you take vitamin B2. \u201cSome individuals experience digestive discomfort, nausea, or bloating,\u201d says Scott Keatley, R.D., co-owner of Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy<\/a>. (Taking it on an empty stomach may make this worse, he says.) Something else to consider, per Keatley: \u201cExcess riboflavin can turn urine bright yellow, which is harmless but sometimes alarming.\u201d That said, you\u2019re likely to just pee out the riboflavin you don\u2019t need. \u201cB2 is a water-soluble vitamin, so excess amounts are typically excreted in urine,\u201d Gans says.<\/p>\n

Overall, Cording stresses the importance of only taking a supplement under the guidance of a healthcare provider. \u201cIt\u2019s the best way to go,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n

Dietary supplements are products intended to supplement the diet. They are not medicines and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure diseases. Be cautious about taking dietary supplements if you are pregnant or nursing. Also, be careful about giving supplements to a child, unless recommended by their healthcare provider.<\/p>\n

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