What dietary deficiency can lead to pallor in the oral mucosa when HHT is untreated?

Pallor in the oral mucosa, particularly in the context of untreated Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT), is commonly associated with a deficiency in Vitamin B12. This vitamin plays a crucial role in red blood cell formation and the maintenance of healthy nerve cells. A deficiency can lead to anemia, which is characterized by a reduced number of red blood cells and can result in pale mucous membranes.

In patients with HHT, who may already be predisposed to vascular abnormalities leading to bleeding, the combination of these factors can exacerbate the symptoms of anemia, making pallor more pronounced. Vitamin B12 deficiency may result from inadequate dietary intake or absorption issues, thereby contributing to the overall pallor seen in the oral cavity.

The other dietary deficiencies do not specifically correlate with the symptoms described in relation to HHT. For instance, Vitamin D is associated with calcium absorption and bone health, and its deficiency typically leads to issues such as osteomalacia or rickets rather than mucosal pallor. Vitamin C deficiency is primarily linked to scurvy, which causes gum disease and may influence oral health, but not necessarily mucosal pallor itself. Calcium deficiency affects bone structure and can lead to muscle cramps,