What is it?
When one lacks vitamin B6 in their body.
- Vitamin B6 is an essential cofactor in many enzymatic reactions, including the metabolism of amino acids, carbohydrates, and lipids.
- It is critical to cognitive (brain) development, contributes to neurotransmitter synthesis, and supports immune function via interleukin-2 production and haemoglobin formation (needed for red blood cells to carry oxygen).
- Deficiency can result in significant complications and concerns.
Be careful not to over supplement with vitamin B supplements as this vitamin is unique in that either deficiency or excess can cause similar symptoms
Diseases or conditions causing deficiency
- Malnutrition
- Wernicke-Korsakoff Symptoms (brain condition caused by damage to nerves)
- Symptoms:
- Uncontrolled eye movement
- Lack of coordination and speech
- Slow movement
- Lack of consciousness
- Mental confusion
- Loss of voice
- Stating events that never occurred and memory loss.
- Wernicke encephalopathy (A vitamin B deficiency common in alcoholic liver disease)
- Symptoms:
- Confusion
- Impaired consciousness
- Imbalance and uncontrolled movement
- Symptoms similar to drunkenness
- Medication:
Signs and symptoms of deficiency
- Pigmented rash -Light sensitive, cracked and dry symmetrical rash, develop on hands (glove-like appearance), feet (boot shaped appearance) and sun-exposed skin butterfly rash on face
- Hot and red swollen burning mouth and tongue
- Mouth ulcers
- Abdominal discomfort
- Heartburn
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation and then later diarrhoea (could by bloody)
- Dementia
- Excitement and depression
- Paranoia
Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:
Foods mainly found in:
- Beans
- Grains
- Legumes
- Nuts
- Fish
- Meat- Poultry
- Vegetables – potatoes
- Non-citrus fruits
Be careful not to over supplement with vitamin B supplements as this vitamin is unique in that either deficiency or excess can cause similar symptoms
Side effects include :
- Sensory neuropathies (nerve pain)
- Movement disorders (ataxia)
- Skin lesions
- Heartburn
- Nausea
- Photosensitivity- condition in which the skin becomes very sensitive to sunlight or other forms of ultraviolet light and may burn easily. It usually causes a rash or sunburn, especially on areas of the skin that are exposed to ultraviolet light.
This condition may show similar symptoms to:
Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice
Detailed Information
Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Vitamin B6 Deficiency in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).
- NHS
Find information and advice on health conditions, symptoms, healthy living, medicines and how to get help (British National Health Service).
- Medscape
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- Pharmaceutical Journal
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- Healthline
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- Medical News Today
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- WebMD
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- Cleveland Clinic
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- Mayo Clinic
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- Drugs.com
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- National Organisation of Rare Diseases
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- Verywell Health
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- Fit for Travel
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- DR Axe
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