To successfully treat and prevent recurrence of abnormal vitamin B6 levels we need to understand and — if possible — remove the underlying causes and risk factors. We need to ask: "What else is going on inside the body that might allow abnormal vitamin B6 levels to develop?"
Accurate diagnosis of the factors behind abnormal vitamin B6 levels consists of three steps:
Cause | Probability | Status |
---|---|---|
Nutritional Deficiency Anemia | 94% | Confirm |
Pyroluria | 55% | Possible |
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine). Unit: ng/mL [nmol/L]
Possible responses:
→ Don't know→ Confirmed deficiency in the past → Under 4 [16] (low) → 4 to 18 [16-73] (normal) → Over 18 [73] (elevated) |
A functional pyridoxine deficiency is common in pyroluria (often seen in alcoholics), due not so much to inadequate intake as impaired conversion to its active form, pyridoxal-5-phosphate, and enhanced degradation.