Truth is we’ve been delaying this article for a while until we had enough information & facts to allow us to enlighten our readers. Hopefully by the end of this article you’ll have no doubts about this subject.
Reference Range
Tamin B6 is a complex of 6 vitamers: pyridoxal, pyridoxol, pyridoxamine, and their 5′-phosphate esters. Pyridoxal kinase phosphorylates pyridoxine and pyridoxamine, after which they are converted to PLP, a coenzyme in tryptophan and methionine metabolism. Tryptophan is a precursor to several neurotransmitters and is required for niacin production.
Thus, pyridoxine deficiency can cause a syndrome indistinguishable from pellagra. Alterations in the TNSALP gene lead to rickets, osteomalacia, or both.
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Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in many foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement.
It is absorbed in the jejunum. Vitamin B6 is the generic name for six compounds, that are collectively called vitamers. Vitamin B6 also plays a role in cognitive development through the biosynthesis of neurotransmitters and in maintaining normal levels of homocysteine.
People with alcoholism tend to have low levels. Other medications that may reduce the levels of vitamin B6 include: cycloserine, isoniazid, hydralazine, penicillamine, theophylline, pyrazinamide, levodopa, and carbidopa. The primary reason for ordering vitamin B6 is to diagnose pyridoxine deficiency, which has been associated with microcytic hypochromic anemia, dermatitis, neuritis, stomatitis and cheliosis.
Chronic B6 deficiency can lead to secondary hyperoxaluria and an increased risk of kidney stones. Chronic B6 deficiency has also been associated with nerve compression disorders such as carpal tunnel and tarsal tunnel syndromes, but this relationship is controversial. Markedly elevated levels of pyridoxal-5-phosphate are observed in hypophosphatasia, a disorder characterized by skeletal deformaties and llow alkaline phosphatase levels.
High levels are also detected in patients taking megadoses of pyridoxine (>2g per day). Megadose therapy may cause peripheral neuropathy. Pyridoxal-5-phosphate is the vitamer that is measured in serum or plasma to determine vitamin B6 level.
What Does It Mean If Your Vitamin B6 Result Is Too Low?
In over 100 different enzymatic reactions in the body. Many of these are related to amino acid synthesis, fatty acid metabolism and hemoglobin synthesis. Vitamin B6 also is critical for the release of glucose from glycogen stores; this is why fatigue is one of the symptoms of a deficiency.
It can give the doctor clues about anemia, heart disease, lack of energy and skin problems.
Coronavirus (Covid-19)
Vitamin B6 is an essential cofactor for aminotransferase enzymes. Deficiency may occur in the diet, due to drugs such as isoniazid and penicillamine, and as an inborn error.
Deficiency of Vitamin B6 leads to increased homocysteine levels. Use of mega dose Vitamin B6 (up to 6000mg/day compared with a reference nutrient intake several order of magnitude lower) has been described eg. Cystathionase deficiency.
Type 1 primary hyperoxaluria (AGT enzyme needs Vitamin B6 as cofactor), Idiopathic carpal tunnel, PMT, Schizophrenia, Autism Vit B6 toxicity results in peripheral neuropathy and encephalopathy.