Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, is a water-soluble vitamin that helps brain function, the body convert protein to energy and helps the immune system produce antibodies.
Vitamin B6 helps maintain normal nerve function and form red blood cells. The body uses it to help break down proteins. The more protein you eat, the more vitamin B6 you need.
High levels of vitamin B6 can cause neurological disorders and numbness. The deficiency of vitamin B6 can cause mouth and tongue sores, irritability, confusion, and depression.
Major sources of vitamin B6 include:
- Cereal grains and flour
- Vegetables like peas, spinach, and carrots
- Seeds and nuts
- Legumes
- Potatoes
- Milk and cheeses
- Fish, meat and eggs
- Liver
Deficiency of vitamin B6 has been implicated in a wide variety of clinical conditions. Important in neonatology, it is the syndrome of jittery characteristics, irritability, easy startling, colic, and seizures due to B6 deficiency following ingestion of formula rendered B6 depleted by excessive heating. B6 may be decreased with inflammatory disease of the small bowel and malabsorption and, in some cases, of a jejunoileal bypass.
Vitamin B6 deficiency can be more prevalent in people who:
- Have kidney or heart failure
- Are alcoholics
- Have cirrhosis
- Have hyperthyroidism
- Are taking anticonvulsants or corticosteroids
- Are living with digestive disorders
LC Sample ReportQD Sample Report
Test Code(s):
004655, 926
Also Known As:
B6, Vitamin, PLP, Pyridoxal 5-Phosphate, Pyridoxine.
Preparation:
Fasting for 10-12 hours required.
Test Results:
3-6 days. May take longer based on weather, holiday or lab delays.
