Thiamine Alarms: 19 Subtle Signs Your Body Needs Vitamin B1

17. Difficulty Speaking or Slurred Speech

As thiamine deficiency affects nerve function in the brain and muscles, it can impact speech clarity and coordination. Individuals may struggle to form words properly, experience slurred speech, or find themselves pausing frequently while trying to articulate thoughts. These speech difficulties are often linked to disruptions in the brainstem, which controls motor functions, including speech. When combined with other neurological symptoms, such as confusion, impaired reflexes, or difficulty walking, speech changes could indicate a more advanced thiamine deficiency leading to conditions like Wernicke’s encephalopathy. If someone develops persistent or worsening speech difficulties, medical evaluation is necessary to rule out underlying neurological causes.

18. Excessive Sweating or Difficulty Regulating Body Temperature

Thiamine plays a role in the autonomic nervous system, which helps regulate body temperature. A deficiency can cause individuals to either sweat excessively without exertion or, conversely, struggle to maintain warmth in cold environments. This occurs because the body’s ability to manage heat production and dissipation is disrupted when nerve signaling is impaired. Some individuals may experience hot flashes, night sweats, or sudden chills, while others might notice their hands and feet feeling persistently cold. These temperature regulation issues may be accompanied by fatigue, dizziness, and an increased heart rate, all of which point to potential metabolic disturbances caused by thiamine deficiency.