Secondary Deficiency is best described as

• A. Inadequate Intake
• B. Adequate Intake But Impaired Absorption Or Utilization
• C. Excess Intake
• D. Genetic Deficiency

Answer: (B)

Secondary deficiency happens when dietary intake is adequate, but the body cannot absorb, transport, or use the nutrient properly, or its needs are increased by disease or treatment. This is exactly what the description “Adequate Intake But Impaired Absorption Or Utilization” conveys. For instance, iron can be deficient in someone with celiac disease because the damaged gut absorbs iron poorly; vitamin D deficiency can arise from liver or kidney disease that impairs activation; or vitamin B12 deficiency can occur when absorption is impaired in pernicious anemia, even if the diet provides enough B12. In contrast, a deficiency caused by not eating enough is primary, excess intake describes too much rather than too little, and genetic deficiencies involve inherited problems with metabolism rather than an issue with absorption or utilization in the presence of adequate intake.