Vitamin B levels may be checked in blood or urine.

  1. During a blood test, a health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle.
  2. For a 24-hour urine sample test, you’ll need to collect all urine passed in a 24-hour period.
Table of Contents

Is there a blood test for B6?

A Vitamin B6 Test detects Vitamin B6 levels in the blood. Also Known As: B6, Vitamin, PLP, Pyridoxal 5-Phosphate, Pyridoxine. Preparation: Fasting for 10-12 hours required.

How do you measure B6 levels?

Measures of B6 status are categorized as direct biomarkers and as functional biomarkers. Direct biomarkers measure B6 vitamers in plasma/serum, urine and erythrocytes, and among these plasma pyridoxal 5-phosphate (PLP) is most commonly used.

What are the signs of vitamin B6 deficiency?

Here are 9 signs and symptoms of vitamin B6 deficiency.

How long does it take to recover from vitamin B6 deficiency?

Very high doses, 200 mg or more per day, of vitamin B6 can cause neurological disorders, such as loss of feeling in the legs and imbalance. Stopping high doses usually leads to a complete recovery within 6 months.

Do you need to fast for vitamin B6 test?

It is recommended that the patient be fasting 12 – 14 hours (overnight fast or infants prior to next draw) before specimen is collected. who abstained from vitamin supplementation for 24 hours prior to draw. Vitamin supplementation and non-fasting specimens may result in elevated plasma vitamin concentrations.

What is vitamin B6 test for?

A vitamin B6 blood test helps determine whether or not someone is deficient in the vitamin, or has high levels. It can give the doctor clues about anemia, heart disease, lack of energy and skin problems.

What is the normal reading for vitamin B6?

The reference range for pyridoxal phosphate (PLP), the biologically active form of vitamin B6, is 5-50 µg/L.

What deficiency disease is caused by lack of vitamin B6?

Vitamin B6 deficiency causes peripheral neuropathy and a pellagra-like syndrome, with seborrheic dermatitis, glossitis, and cheilosis, and, in adults, can cause depression, confusion, electroencephalogram abnormalities, and seizures.

How long does it take to recover from B6 deficiency?

What causes deficiency of vitamin B6?

In addition, vitamin B6 deficiency can result from malabsorption syndromes, such as celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. Certain genetic diseases, such as homocystinuria, can also cause vitamin B6 deficiency [2]. Some medications, such as antiepileptic drugs, can lead to deficiency over time.

How do you test for vitamin B6 deficiency?

Diagnosis is usually clinical; no laboratory test readily assesses vitamin B6 status. Treatment consists of giving oral vitamin B6 and, when possible, treating the cause. Vitamin B6 includes a group of closely related compounds: pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine.

What are the treatment options for vitamin B6 deficiency in infants?

If antiseizure drugs do not stop seizures in infants, consider giving pyridoxine to treat possible vitamin B6 deficiency. For secondary vitamin B6 deficiency, causes (eg, use of pyridoxine-inactivating drugs, malabsorption) should be corrected if possible.

What causes vitamin B6 (B6) deficiency?

(See also Overview of Vitamins .) Dietary vitamin B6 deficiency, though rare, can develop because extensive processing can deplete foods of vitamin B6. Use of pyridoxine-inactivating drugs (eg, antiseizure drugs, isoniazid, cycloserine, hydralazine, corticosteroids, penicillamine)

What does a vitamin B6 deficiency rash look like?

The rash can appear on your scalp, face, neck and upper chest. It’s known for its oily, flaky appearance and may cause swelling or white patches ( 9 ). One reason B6 deficiency may result in skin rashes is that the vitamin helps synthesize collagen, which is needed for healthy skin.