There are two primary types of thiamine deficiency: wet beriberi and dry beriberi. Wet beriberi includes symptoms somewhat like those of congestive heart failure (heart failure is a deterioration of the heartâs ability to pump blood), including difficulty breathing and lower leg swelling.owever, thiamine deficiency is possible in some people with rare genetic conditions, in people who eat very unbalanced diets, in alcoholics, and in some people with kidney disease. Depending on the level of thiamine deficiency, symptoms can vary greatly.