Does anyone know about high levels of B6 causing small fiber P. neurop

Hi- I don’t have the exact same experience, but I have small fiber neuropathy and was accidentally supplementing with B6 when my symptoms got drastically worse. I was getting labs for fatigue and we found my B6 was really high. When it went down, my symptoms went back to baseline—still have neuropathy though.

It turned out that I was using Liquid IV (the electrolyte supplement) regularly, for POTS and they include high levels of B6 and B12 (but B12 you can’t really overdose on).

Sometimes supplements can be sneaky, especially some people take B vitamin supplements thinking it’ll help their neuropathy not realizing too much can be bad. Can you find anywhere you might be getting extra that you didn’t realize?

I’m guessing high B6 could be a sign of other things, but one thing I thought of is if you’ve heard of the MTHFR gene—it helps process B vitamins. Some people have a genetic variant that makes it difficult to break down B vitamins (sometimes all, sometimes just one or another). It’s my understanding it can cause a high B vitamin level but you can still be deficient because your body can’t break it down into the form it can use.

It just so happens I got tested for this recently, except we can’t be sure it is or isn’t causing a problem based on the result we got (research is still ongoing), so she’s having me supplement methylated folate (B9)—methylated is the broken down version of the B vitamin so we can see if it helps. I’m still learning so I’m not sure why she told me folate, specifically.

There’s been more awareness of this in recent years, so I’m sure you could do a search on it.

And maybe other members may have different experiences they can share.

Hello @ehope, There is quite a bit of information on B6 and neuropathy. You might find the following discussion shelpful.
-- B-6 vitamin danger!: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/b-6-vitamin-danger/
-- severe peripheral neuropathy and vitamin B6: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/severe-peripheral-neuropathy-and-vitamin-b6/

Do you take any supplements with B6 in them or use energy drinks?

Not sure if this is where I reply to all. Thank you! I have the MTHFR mutation, most of us do. I was supplementing with a professional nutritionist and obviously taking way too much. My B12 was great, however all of the other B vitamins and folate were off, B6 being the worst. I have not been diagnosed with neuropathy as of yet, however, it seems clear to me. I stopped the supplements and will be mindful of the food ( salmon, avocados, ... all of the things I eat have high levels. I will read the discussion posted. I experience night sweats and have lots of hair loss. It has been very challenging, with lack of sleep!

Hopefully you’re able to resolve it just by stopping the B6 supplement 🤞! I recall mine came down pretty quickly. It wasn’t back to normal but after about 6 weeks it had gone down by 50% and by then I was feeling better.

Due to the pain in my feet, I was told to take B vitamins. After time, I was getting different pain and muscle twitching. I decided to get my vitamin panel done. My B's were really high and that was after not taking them for a month. I am not sure why they recommend taking different supplements before actually seeing where you stand first. I also found out I was low in Zinc, calcium and mag. That may have contributed to the muscle twitching. I have been on supplements to help correct what I was low in for about a month. I do feel better. Not 100% but better.
It's like trying to find the missing puzzle piece. I am hopeful and always looking for advice or a good direction others may have found. I appreciate this site and the support.

I was finally diagnosed with B6 toxicity June of 2024 (5x the normal limit) from a multi-vitamin and “sports beverages”. Three months after stopping the supplements, I started to feel better. Unfortunately, I have had a flare-up of the same symptoms after trying collagen (no B6) and starting a more rigorous exercise routine. These symptoms seem to be relentless. My recent B6 and B12 blood tests were in the normal range.

Has anyone had a surge of B6 toxicity symptoms after collagen or exercise?
Thank you.

My understanding is while our neuropathy symptoms can ease after stopping any B6, it can take longer for the nerves to recover, and some may never recover. A lot of things can trigger neuropathy, especially starting a rigorous exercise routine. Easing your way up to rigorous is best... try baby steps to learn what your body can tolerate. I have just started a new exercise routine, and it's forward and backward, but mostly forward progress as I listen to my body.

I haven't heard anyone in my support groups talking about collagen as a trigger, but that doesn't mean it isn't for you. Foods that are triggering include gluten, dairy, sugar, artificial sweeteners, additives in ultra-processed foods, saturated and trans fats, alcohol, caffeine, and brown rice (brown rice is found in many GF products). These can all aggravate nerves and make neuropathy symptoms worse.

The foods above, plus viruses, histamine responses, stress, disrupted sleep, activity, and nutritional deficiencies, can worsen symptoms and cause flare-ups.

Thank you so much for your prompt, thorough response.
I will start applying your information to try to figure out my symptom triggers! After your message, I think that after feeling better, I implemented too many normal things at once.
I am so impressed with this website!
Most grateful for your help!

I had similar symptoms. Bounced from specialist to specialist for years trying to find the cause. Finally a neurologist found tested my B6 which was way too high. I was told to stop all supplements (for me it was a multi-vitamin & sports drinks”) immediately. The pin pricks & an EMG indicated neuropathy.

I was told that I would feel better in about 3 months which I did. Was also told that it could take a year + for the nerves to heal. Patience with hope! Was also told that some nerves may not heal.
I had a relapse recently due to too much exercise & possible other triggers that I need to figure out. I have been taking alpha lipoic acid 200mg 1x daily which seems to help.

I found an interesting website for B6 toxicity.
Understandingb6Toxicity.com

I hope this information is helpful. I am very appreciative of this website.

I also had B6 toxicity. My neurologist had me stop anymore with B6 and started me on Nortripyline. Started on 10mg, now on 70mg. She told me that it could take up to a a few years for the nerves to heal if at all. She too told me to watch for other triggers in foods, stressors,activities, etc. One thing I have found over the year is that when I wear shoes for a long time and my feet get hot, the neuropathy pain starts. Generally, my pain is negligible. I now longer take any pain medication.