Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) Deficiency | Dietary Sources, Causes, Signs & Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

Summary

Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, is an essential water-soluble vitamin involved in nutrient metabolism, neurological functioning, and immune response. Found in foods like meat, fish, nuts, and vegetables, B6 supports processes like gluconeogenesis, hemoglobin synthesis, and neurotransmitter production. Deficiency can stem from low intake, poor absorption, or increased utilization due to conditions like pregnancy or hyperthyroidism. Symptoms include neurological issues (e.g., seizures, confusion), skin problems (e.g., seborrheic dermatitis), and anemia. Diagnosis is often clinical, with treatment involving pyridoxine supplements to restore levels and address underlying causes.

Takeaways

• 😀 Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, is a water-soluble vitamin essential for various bodily functions.
• 😀 It plays a crucial role in nutrient metabolism, including lipid and carbohydrate metabolism.
• 😀 Vitamin B6 is necessary for proper neurological functioning and neurotransmitter synthesis.
• 😀 Key dietary sources of vitamin B6 include meat, fish, nuts, legumes, fruits, and vegetables.
• 😀 The recommended daily allowance of vitamin B6 varies by age and condition, ranging from 0.5 to 2 mg/day.
• 😀 Vitamin B6 deficiency can result from low intake, reduced absorption, increased utilization, or certain medications.
• 😀 Clinical features of deficiency include neurological symptoms, such as seizures in children and confusion in adults.
• 😀 Skin symptoms of vitamin B6 deficiency can include seborrheic dermatitis, glossitis, and cheilitis.
• 😀 Hematological findings in deficiency may show microcytic anemia, normocytic anemia, or sideroblastic anemia.
• 😀 Diagnosis typically relies on clinical assessment, while treatment involves addressing underlying causes and supplementation.

Q & A

What is vitamin B6 and why is it important?

Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, is a water-soluble vitamin essential for various bodily processes, including nutrient metabolism, neurological functioning, and immune system functioning.

What are the dietary sources of vitamin B6?

Dietary sources of vitamin B6 include meat, fish, nuts, legumes, fruits, and vegetables.

What is the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin B6 for adults?

The recommended daily allowance of vitamin B6 for adults ranges from 1 to 1.7 milligrams per day, while pregnant or lactating women require about 1.9 to 2 milligrams per day.

How is vitamin B6 absorbed and metabolized in the body?

Vitamin B6 is absorbed in the jejunum, the second part of the small intestine, metabolized to its active form in the liver, and then excreted in urine from the kidneys.

What are some causes of vitamin B6 deficiency?

Causes of vitamin B6 deficiency include low intake due to malnutrition or chronic alcoholism, reduced absorption from conditions like celiac disease, increased utilization during pregnancy or hyperthyroidism, increased losses through hemodialysis, and certain medications.

What neurological symptoms can arise from vitamin B6 deficiency?

In children, vitamin B6 deficiency can lead to seizures, while in adults, it may cause altered mental status or confusion, along with peripheral neuropathy, resulting in numbness and tingling sensations.

What psychiatric symptoms are associated with vitamin B6 deficiency in adults?

Vitamin B6 deficiency in adults can lead to psychiatric symptoms, including depression.

What are some integumentary (skin-related) symptoms of vitamin B6 deficiency?

Integumentary symptoms of vitamin B6 deficiency may include seborrheic dermatitis, glossitis (inflammation of the tongue), and cheilitis (sores on the lips).

How is vitamin B6 deficiency diagnosed?

Diagnosis of vitamin B6 deficiency is primarily clinical, based on risk factors and symptoms. A serum paradoxical phosphate test can also be conducted, which is typically low in individuals with vitamin B6 deficiency.

What is the treatment for vitamin B6 deficiency?

Treatment for vitamin B6 deficiency involves identifying underlying causes and risk factors, followed by administering oral supplements of pyridoxine (vitamin B6), usually at a dosage of 50 to 100 milligrams per day for adults.