Kelly.oconnor: Created

2025-05-07T21:35:49Z

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== What Does It Mean? ==
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) Deficiency refers to low levels of this essential water-soluble vitamin, which is crucial for neurotransmitter synthesis, amino acid metabolism, hemoglobin production, and immune function. A deficiency can result in neurological disturbances, anemia, and increased inflammatory markers.

== How Did We Get There? ==

=== Root Causes: ===

* Poor Dietary Intake – Inadequate consumption of B6-rich foods such as poultry, bananas, and fortified cereals.
* Malabsorption Disorders – Conditions like celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, and SIBO reduce B6 absorption.
* Chronic Alcohol Consumption – Alcohol impairs B6 metabolism and increases its excretion.
* Kidney Disease & Dialysis – Increased loss of B6 through urine.
* Excessive Inflammatory Processes – Chronic inflammation can increase the demand for B6.

=== Signs & Symptoms: ===

* Fatigue and irritability
* Depression and mood disturbances
* Peripheral neuropathy (tingling, numbness, burning sensations)
* Microcytic anemia (low hemoglobin levels)
* Impaired immune function and frequent infections
* Cracks at the corners of the mouth (angular cheilitis)

== Lab Test Findings ==
{| class="wikitable"
|'''Lab Test Name'''
|'''Expected Change'''
|'''Optimal Range'''
|-
|Hemoglobin (Female)
|Decreased
|13.50-14.50 g/dL
|-
|Homocysteine
|Increased
|5.00-7.20 µmol/L
|-
|Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH)
|Decreased
|28.00-31.90 pg
|-
|Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC)
|Decreased
|32.00-35.00 g/dL
|-
|Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)
|Decreased or Normal
|82.00-89.00 fL
|-
|Vitamin B 6 (Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate), Serum
|Decreased
|8.00-21.70 ng/mL
|-
|ALT
|Increased
|10.00-26.00 U/L
|-
|AST
|Increased
|10.00-26.00 U/L
|-
|Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT)
|Increased or Normal
|10.00-30.00 U/L
|}

== How Do We Treat It? ==

=== Functional Medicine Approach: ===
Addressing Vitamin B6 deficiency requires dietary improvements, gut health support, and targeted supplementation.

=== Supplement Protocol ===
{| class="wikitable"
|'''Supplement'''
|''' Function'''
|'''Dosage & Frequency'''
|-
|Vita B Methyl
|Provides eight essential B vitamins in their active forms
|1 capsule without food, daily
|}

=== Additional Lifestyle Interventions: ===

* Increase Vitamin B6-Rich Foods: Poultry, fish, bananas, potatoes, and fortified cereals.
* Gut Health Support: Optimize absorption by addressing gut inflammation and dysbiosis.
* Reduce Alcohol Intake: Minimize alcohol consumption to enhance B6 retention.
* Monitor Kidney Function: Patients with renal disease should be monitored for adequate B6 levels.

Vitamin B6 Deficiency - Revision history

Kelly.oconnor: Created