VIT. B6 Toxicity and Regular Blood work/experts

[Pescador 1,374]

Since my husband and I were sleeved we have Bloodwork about every four weeks. Three years out and we both have HIGH levels of B6 and B1. Reading about the toxicity and the effects that resemble MS and ALS, I have complained of my neck trembling. Normal B6 is 2.1-21, and my husbands is 84. B1 normal is 78-180, and his is 240. I have similar issues. This cannot be just the two of us. The only foods on the list for the VIT. B category that my husband eats are bananas, seldom, avocados, and spinach. I was low in Thiamine and took Thiamine shots for 3 months. Beginning to be concerned right now, for sure. Please give me insight if you can.

[RickM 1,747]

It's difficult to get to toxic levels of B6 from food (particularly for us post-ops with our small stomachs), but supplements are where the problem usually lies. Our surgeon has gotten sensitive to this issue as most of his patients (the DS guys in particular) take lots of supplements, and it can sneak in where you least expect it. The one that they warn about most is the Costco/kirkland Calcium citrate which adds B6 to their mix in addition to the usual D3 (and probably mag.) Combine that with a Multivitamin or two (check the levels on those - they sometimes load those up with much more than 100% RDA) and sometimes a B complex and it's easy to get to toxic levels.

.I haven't heard of B1 being much of a problem, other than the occasional deficiency from the low carb diets that most are on.

[Pescador 1,374]

Thanks RickM, this is definitely a supplement issue. No costco product. So many of you are such experts on body issues that I knew I could get good insight here. I find it strange that it has happened to me and my husband when we both take different Vitamins. I wonder how many people have this when they get a yearly blood work check.

[OKCPirate 5,323]

I was surprised how many B Vitamins are crammed in energy drinks and such. Check those labels if you are using them.

[Pescador 1,374]

We have never had an energy drink. I see a lot of people who live by them.

[kmorri 1,689]

Well I just got my blood work results today....I'll see the doc tomorrow....but, my B12 and B6 are high....not as high as your husband's but still high..........and the really weird thing is I have not been taking any Vitamins because I didn't want to take them unless I had too.........all my levels are good with the exception on the B12 and B6. The only thing I can track it down to is the MIO drops I add to my Water.....it contains both B12 and B6. Weird!

[Pescador 1,374]

Hopefully, we can enlighten people to make sure they get their blood work done on a regular basis. I think it is crucial to our health. I researched the Internet extensively, and the extremely high B6 , B1 etc., can cause problems resembling MS and ALS.

[KristenLe 5,979]

@ and @@kmorri I just read an article that high b6 and B12 could actually mean a deficiency. It might be bunk but worth looking into it.

http://www.easy-immune-health.com/vitamin-b6-toxicity.html

[kmorri 1,689]

@ and @@kmorri I just read an article that high b6 and B12 could actually mean a deficiency. It might be bunk but worth looking into it.

http://www.easy-immune-health.com/vitamin-b6-toxicity.html

Thanks @@KristenLe That's really interesting! I've printed it and will take it with me to the doctor tomorrow and see what he has to say.

[Christinamo7 4,042]

at 3 months and 6 months my b6 and 12 were *very* high, so for now I have to check labels to make sure I am not consuming a lot of food with added B Vitamins. For me I think the problem was I was having a Vitamin Water zero daily - and so now they are an occasional treat, and I had none for a couple of weeks. they are watching me close and will check my levels again at 9 months.

So I would advise to make sure nothing you are eating or drinking has added B Vitamins. I hear a lot of deficiencies - so this was not a problem I expected to have.

[Pescador 1,374]

Thanks all, we have two good doctors, but our surgeon is out of the country 3 weeks. We will get this straightened out.

[theantichick 2,204]

A few years ago when I had a change in my Migraine patterns, my neurologist ran every test under the sun. He found non-diabetic neuropathy in my feet and my B6 levels were through the roof. The only thing we could attribute it to is that I was taking a "whole food" multi-Vitamin that was very high in the B complex Vitamins. B6 is also known as pyridoxine and may be listed that way instead of B6 in some enriched foods. He had me stop taking any Vitamin that had B6 in it at that point. We never determined if the high B6 was the cause of the neuropathy in my feet, but the neuropathy is mild. Subsequent testing has been normal, but my PCP and I keep an eye on it now. I think that so many things have the B-complex "for energy" now that it's hard to get away from too much supplement.

[Pescador 1,374]

I have researched the Internet and found similar stories, TheAntiChick. Glad you were diagnosed.