severe peripheral neuropathy and vitamin B6

As an Australian, I can telling you this has been a big topic in the Australian media this year in particular . More and more Australians are becoming aware of the Health risks associated with too much B6 in supplements. As awareness is growing more and more people are getting blood tests, and the increase of results with high toxicity is becoming alarming to the medical industry and the TGA, the therapeutic goods administration. Following an increase in reporting the TGA a few years ago mandatory for any supplements containing 50 mg or more of B6 to carry a warning On the label, advising people that if they start having tingling or burning sensations in their feet or hands to stop taking the Supplement and see their doctor. I have been taking magnesium supplement nightly for leg cramps and unbeknown to me. It had 50 mg of B6 in it. I’ve only been taking this for about six months and recently have started experience minor symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. Because of the recent media attention to this I was allergic to check the label on my magnesium and immediately sort out a blood test. The results reveal my B6 levels 10 times higher than the recommended level. I have obviously discontinue taking the magnesium supplement with B6 and will have another blood test in two months to check my levels. I still have some minor symptoms, but nothing extreme or affecting my daily life. I feel I have been very lucky to have discovered this early thanks to Our fantastic medical system that we have in our country and the Australian media. The TGA is presently reviewing the current labeling and it is very likely in the near future, their advice will change to a lower level being acceptable and safe.

Glad you’re doing better. It is such an unrecognized disorder, especially here in the states. Our RDA is 100 mg per day. It’s ridiculous. I developed vitamin B6 toxicity from taking a B complex multivitamin that had 40 mg of pyridoxine hydrochloride. Faithful to the brand. So I took it daily , for close to 20 years. Bit me in the ass. I’m not only had sensory but also motor affected so I’m looking at likely lifelong damage. Five weeks into detox and already at normal levels.

You are quite lucky to have caught thos early. I had progressive symptoms for several years and found my b6 was 5 times normal. Unknown to me there was 20mg in the melatonin I took for several years. My PN has not resolved since stopping b6 4 years ago but other symptoms such as heart palpations, tinnitus, blurry vision, eye floaters and eye flashed did resolve.

Just discovered that certain melatonin includes B6. I’ve resolved myself that damage it did when levels were high, are not going to reverse. Taking a multi with no B6 has brought it to normal level.

This is the best advice....we can obsess and go down every road that comes along and for most these suggestions don't ever help. We have an irreversible condition. I have good motor function in my almost totally numb legs/feet but I still exercise at a high level and go to many impact classes like dance, zumba, aerobics. I do muscle strengthening as well as core. My balance is off...just started Tai Chi and I am extremely careful in my everyday life to avoid falls. I love this message board and look for encouraging life styles. I know not everyone has the same symptoms. I don't have pain (I am grateful) but I do have severe cramping at night and vibrations down my legs if my body is touched below my waist. I have a really good neurologist (Columbia....Mayo would not ac cept me in any of their locations) but my search for a good neurologist has not. been easy...so many just write you off. Anyway, lets support each other. We don't have ALS, Parkinson's or Alzheimers among other things.

Thank you for your post! I wish you the best in your health journey. 10 months ago I started having tingling which progressed to being only able to walk 20 feet. Misdiagnosed 3x and gaslight by some of the medical professionals. I was dancing one day and now can’t get down to my lobby without my wheelchair. The pain is all consuming but so grateful to finally have a diagnosis, albeit a disappointing one. I was accepted to Mayo and will be going in a couple weeks. Stopped my multivitamin (the cause) and pain getting worse (coasting) b4 it gets better. I’m trying to get the word out about b6 toxicity and its dangers. Blessings, Melanie

@summer1985 , please post update on what you find out. Good luck.

@celia16 .. Thanks! I'll post again with an update 🙂

Hello,
From my experience and
research stay away from B6

@johnbishop I WAS TOLD BY MY Neurologist that my B6 was extremely high. He suggested that I decrease my B6 supplements and I would not need to see him again. I cut out my B complex supplement and, indeed my pain and numbness decreased. It’s not completely gone, but no longer waits me up at night!