Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

All the B vitamins together are called the "B vitamin complex." Each type of vitamin B plays different important roles in your body.

Vitamin B6 (also called pyridoxine) helps with many enzyme reactions, including making brain chemicals and red blood cells. Low B6 can cause symptoms like skin rashes, cracked lips, low mood, irritability, weakness, numbness or tingling, and, in severe cases, seizures. Surprisingly, taking too much B6 from supplements over time can also damage nerves and cause numbness or tingling.

You get B vitamins from many foods, including leafy green vegetables, meats and fish, eggs, whole grains, milk, and other dairy products. A lack of vitamin B is rare in the United States, because many foods have added B vitamins. These foods include cereals, breads, and pasta.

Your results will show the amount of vitamin B6 that was tested. If your vitamin B levels are normal, but you have symptoms, you may need other tests to diagnose your condition.

Low B6 levels can be seen in people with poor nutrition, heavy alcohol use, kidney disease, or trouble absorbing nutrients. Some medicines, including isoniazid (used for tuberculosis) and some Parkinson's disease drugs, can also lower B6.

Very high B6 levels are usually due to taking high-dose supplements. Long-term very high levels can cause nerve damage with numbness or tingling that may not fully reverse. If your level is high, your provider will usually ask you to stop or lower your supplements.

Your provider may recommend taking vitamin B supplements when levels are low. In certain cases, vitamins may be given by intravenous (IV) treatment.

If you have questions about your results, talk with your provider.