deficiency

simple noun27 collocationsAvg. frequency: 7.0
vitamin deficiency8.2
iron deficiency8.1
severe deficiency8.0
immune deficiency7.9
serious deficiency7.8
calcium deficiency7.8
nutritional deficiency7.5
nutrient deficiency7.4
mineral deficiency7.3
major deficiency7.2
dietary deficiency7.0
enzyme deficiency6.8
hormone deficiency6.7
slight deficiency6.5
deficiency in8.5

Used to specify what is lacking.

suffer from a deficiency7.5

Commonly used in medical contexts.

cause a deficiency7.3
have a deficiency7.0
remedy a deficiency6.9
correct a deficiency6.8
identify a deficiency6.6
overcome a deficiency6.5
detect a deficiency6.4
make up a deficiency6.2
indicate a deficiency6.1
make good a deficiency5.5
induce a deficiency5.2

More formal or scientific than 'cause'.