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Body making too much Vitamin B6
I had many labs done this week in an attempt to figure out why I am dealing with chronic muscle and joint pain, and severe exhaustion and weakness. The results came back showing that my B6 (normal range is 2-20) is 116. I do take one supplement each evening, and my doctor said it’s far less than she even takes, and in no way would account for such a number. She is completely confused, saying she has never seen such a thing, and couldn’t even come up with any info on it. She will spend some time meeting with other doctors this weekend to brain storm.
I’m wondering if anyone has experienced this, or has any info. I am googling like a mad woman, and the only info I can find is about people taking too much B6 in supplement form, and the dangers of it in their system. Nothing whatsoever about a person’s body making too much. Ideas?
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I came to the same result -high B6, alt was within range but on the low side, checked the genes and found heterozygous variant. Edited to say: I do not have hypo….? My genes don’t process enzymes as actively as they could. I also have the MTHFr variant and COMt. There is a lot of stress on the pathways. One has to take the active form of B6 P5P because the body may not actually be getting enough B6 if there is a bottleneck, pyroxidine is the inactive form. I still have undiagnosed problems though. Hashimotos (known) apparent swelling of lymph nodes, random unexplained pain. At one point I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I’ve had 15+ years trying to get to the bottom of it and labs come back normal so doctors just throw their hands up. I had to pay out of pocket to do additional testing to find TPO levels (thyroid antibodies) and nutrition. I have no science background so it’s been kind of interesting to learn all of this new information.
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2 Reactions@sueinmn I found this very helpful. A recent blood test indicated a B6 reading of 299.9, naturally I am overwhelmed as I do not take any B vitamins. I was also diagnosed with sensory motor polyneuropathy which I was blaming on nerve damage from 2024 back surgery. Now I just don't know. Thanks for sharing the article.
I had an enormously high level of B12 and it was because my liver stored it too well. So, no more supplements, even in multi vitamins and after three years it is back in normal range. This is all to say your body is probably not making its but storing it. I was under the care of a hematologist to discover there was nothing else going on and until my levels were back to normal. I will now be followed by my PCP every six months to make sure it stays in range. You should definitely check it out and have the requisite blood work done by a specialist. Good luck!
Here is what Google AI says: No, the human body does not synthesize vitamin B6; it is an essential nutrient that must be obtained from the diet through foods like chicken, pork, bananas, and fortified cereals, or through supplements. While some intestinal bacteria can produce vitamin B6, the amount produced is not sufficient to meet the body's dietary needs.
Everyone's body is different and some people have difficulty processing certain nutrients, which might leave high levels in the blood. Also, some foods, particularly energy drinks, have added B6 and some supplements other than B vitamin supplements might also have added B6. Read all the labels for what you eat and drink.
I have had very high serum Vit B6 too (250) for over 8 years at least but take absolutely no Vit B6 supplements in any form.
I have MECFS and thought that caused my peripheral neuropathy.
I have discovered a 2019 paper by Chelban et al (PDXK Mutations Cause Polyneuropathy Responsive to Pyridoxal 50-Phosphate Supplementation)
The paper suggests that some people have mutations that stop the conversion of vitamin B6 into its active form, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP).
Sometimes the situation can be rescued with PLP supplementation.
So, I may have loads of the WRONG SORT of Vit B6 floating around in my blood and still have a B6 deficiency (!!)
I'll check with my doctor first - but might try the PLP supplements.
The Google AI says: 'These supplements are used to treat specific conditions, such as certain types of seizures, where the body cannot convert other forms of vitamin B6 into the active form. Unlike typical vitamin B6 supplements (like pyridoxine), PLP supplements directly provide the active vitamin, which may be necessary for those with certain enzyme deficiencies. However, PLP supplements are used less frequently than pyridoxine and are primarily prescribed under medical supervision due to potential side effects like liver toxicity with long-term use.'
Hi there! I'm hoping I can help at least one person on this thread even if it is older. If you are struggling with high b6, have joint pain, muscle pain ect. Please also check your alkaline phosphatase. If that is low it is possible you have hypophosphatasia, a rare genetic metabolic bone disorder that presents in so many different ways. I was misdiagnosed for over 10 years with fibromyalgia and thank God my daughter's doctors took her seriously enough to get to the bottom of her pain, now there's 5 of us so far with the diagnoses.
@db092090
So what was your diagnosis? What labs were low? What type of Dr did you see? What was the treatment,