Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin B6

Optimal Result: 3.4 - 65.2 ug/L, or 13.76 - 263.81 nmol/L.

Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin that is involved in over 100 different enzymatic reactions in the body. Many of these are related to amino acid synthesis, fatty acid metabolism and hemoglobin synthesis. Without enough hemoglobin from a vitamin B6 deficiency, the body’s ability to transport oxygen is decreased and anemia results. 

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. The vitamin is also important for the synthesis of serotonin and dopamine. 

The immune system, heart and blood vessels, detoxification (methylation) and cognitive health are dependent on vitamin B6.

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.

Normal Ranges for Vitamin B6 in mcg/L:

Adults:  5-50 mcg/L

Critical Range: <5 or >50 mcg/L

Sources: 

  1. http://www.lifeextension.com/Vitamins-Supplements/itemLC004655/Vitamin-B6-Blood-Test
  2. http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/vitamin-B6
  3. https://www.childrensmn.org/references/lab/chemistry/vitamin-b6-assay.pdf 
  4. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2088627-overview#a2

What does it mean if your Vitamin B6 result is too low?

Vitamin B6 deficiency is characterized by symptoms such as:

- Irritability

- Depression

- Confusion

- Inflamed tongue

- Skin disorders

- Mouth sores

- Sores at the corners of the mouth

- Morning sickness in pregnant mothers

- PMS

Chronic inflammation results in the body when vitamin B6 levels are low. Inflammation that is systemic (throughout the whole body) may be related to cancer, heart disease, PMS, carpal tunnel syndrome, and dementia. When there’s a vitamin B6 deficiency, homocysteine levels will rise as a result and increase the risk for heart disease. 

Some specific causes of low vitamin B6 might be: 

- Malabsorption of the vitamin in the GI tract due to GI diseases

- Diabetes

- Chronic alcoholism 

- Sickle cell disease

- Kidney stones containing oxalates

- Kidney dialysis

- Rheumatoid arthritis

- Liver cancer 

- Medications such as ones for Parkinson’s disease, tuberculosis, birth control pills, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs interfere with vitamin B6 metabolism. 

What does it mean if your Vitamin B6 result is too high?

Consuming vitamin B-6 through food appears to be safe, even in excessive amounts.

When used as a supplement in appropriate doses, vitamin B-6 is likely safe.

However, taking too much vitamin B-6 from supplements can cause:

  • A lack of muscle control or coordination of voluntary movements (ataxia)
  • Painful, disfiguring skin lesions
  • Heartburn and nausea
  • Sensitivity to sunlight (photosensitivity)
  • Numbness
  • Reduced ability to sense pain or extreme temperatures

Recommendations regarding the daily intake of vitamin B6 in adults are 1.4 mg/day for women and 1.6 mg/day for men with slightly different recommendations for infants, children, adolescents, pregnant and breast-feeding women.

Daily vitamin B6 intake should not exceed 25 mg as an intake of 50 mg/day is associated with neurological side effects. Thereby, pyridoxine, the main B6 vitamer in dietary supplements, is supposed to be the main driver of vitamin B6 toxicity. Elevated plasma vitamin B6 levels are associated with sensory and peripheral neuropathy, leading to progressive sensory ataxia, unstable gait, numbness of the hands and absent tendon reflexes. Furthermore, photosensitivity and mild motor neuropathy have been reported. [L]

Of note, both vitamin B6 intoxication and vitamin B6 deficiency can lead to neuropathy, as in both cases PLP-dependent enzymes are inhibited by pyridoxine.

10 000+ happy clients
100% satisfaction
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ customer support

Understand blood, stool, and urine medical results from all your laboratories.

Get Started With Our Personal Plan

Advanced Plan

  • ✓ Yearly subscription
  • ✓ Five free uploads
  • ✓ Cancel anytime
  • ✓ Instant interpretations
  • ✓ Use the free self-upload form
  • ✓ 3000+ biomarkers explained
  • ✓ Nutrition Recommendations
  • ✓ Dedicated support
  • ✓ Yearly subscription
  • ✓ Five free uploads
  • ✓ Cancel anytime
$79 per year
  • ✓ Instant interpretations
  • ✓ Use the free self-upload form
  • ✓ 3000+ biomarkers explained
  • ✓ Nutrition Recommendations
  • ✓ Dedicated support

Unlimited Plan

  • ✓ No subscription
  • ✓ Ten free uploads
  • ✓ Unlimited access
  • ✓ Instant interpretations
  • ✓ Use the free self-upload form
  • ✓ 3000+ biomarkers explained
  • ✓ Nutrition Recommendations
  • ✓ Dedicated support
  • ✓ No subscription
  • ✓ Ten free uploads
  • ✓ Unlimited access
$250 full version

Are You a Health Professional?

Get started with our professional plan

Welcome to Healthmatters Pro.

Save time on interpreting lab results with the largest database of biomarkers online. In-depth research on any test at your fingertips, all stored and tracked in one place. Learn more

Pro Plan

for health professionals

  • ✓ Track multiple clients results
  • ✓ No setup fees
  • ✓ No hidden costs
  • ✓ Cancel anytime
  • ✓ Instant interpretations
  • ✓ Use the free template forms
  • ✓ 3000+ biomarkers explained
  • ✓ Additional team member $25
  • ✓ Personal training and support

$45 per month

Use promo code to save 10% off any plan.


We implement proven measures to keep your data safe.

At HealthMatters, we're committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of your personal information. We've put industry-leading security standards in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control. We use procedural, physical, and electronic security methods designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to this information. Our internal code of conduct adds additional privacy protection. All data is backed up multiple times a day and encrypted using SSL certificates. See our Privacy Policy for more details.

×

Understand Your Lab Result Now

  • Instant interpretation
  • 3000+ biomarkers explained
  • Science-based recommendations
  • Online support
  • Secure and private portal

Get 10% off with promocode: