American Board of Surgery Qualifying Exam (ABS QE) Practice Test

What is a primary effect of Vitamin E deficiency?

1. Osteoporosis

2. Corneal degeneration

3. Hemolytic anemia

4. Low HDL levels

The correct answer is: Hemolytic anemia

Vitamin E plays a crucial role as an antioxidant in protecting cell membranes from oxidative damage. A deficiency in Vitamin E can lead to increased susceptibility of red blood cells to oxidative stress, ultimately resulting in hemolysis. This process occurs because, without adequate Vitamin E, red blood cells cannot effectively combat the damage caused by free radicals, leading to their premature destruction. This destruction manifests clinically as hemolytic anemia, where the body is unable to maintain an adequate number of functional red blood cells. Therefore, the primary effect of Vitamin E deficiency is indeed hemolytic anemia, which is characterized by fatigue, pallor, and potentially jaundice due to the breakdown of red blood cells. Other options, while indicative of other deficiencies or health issues, are not primary consequences of Vitamin E lack.