Neuropathy caused by high levels of Vitamin B6

[Cindalinda]

I have been diagnosed with neuropathy caused by high levels of Vitamin B6. How long do the symptoms last?

[1jay]

HelloI’m afraid I don’t know the answer to your question, sorry, but I’d be interested to know how the excess B6 came about and if you’ve had to adjust your diet in some way? I’ve wondered if that could also be the cause of my own peripheral neuropathy but was trying to dismiss the idea as it seemed unlikely. Others whose neuropathy has occurred due to e.g. a medication side effect do see the condition improving once they’ve identified the source so I would think there is hope for you. Best of luck.

[Cindalinda in reply to 1jay]

Hello. Thank you for your reply. I was taking a multiple with 3 mg. of B6 every day for about a year. I also started taking a supplement for hair loss that contained10mg. of B6 and occasionally a B Complex. Most of my favorite foods are of course the ones that are a little higher in B6. From my research it shouldn't have caused the high levels but one doctor had found that some people taking as little as 25 mg. a day had developed neuropathy. My neurologist had me tested for B6 and B12. My B12 was normal but B6 should not be higher than 21.7. Mine was 99.6.She immediately told me to stop all vitamins. I've also am trying not to eat the foods that are higher in B6 at least until my level gets back to normal and hopefully the neuropathy goes away. Also, my neuropathy occurred instantly in one day, not gradually like the neuropathy caused by diabetes.

[1jay in reply to Cindalinda]

Thanks very much for that information. Your neurologist sounds to have been very diligent in helping you uncover the cause of your neuropathy which is great. Mine was more of the ‘not much to be done’ type! Hopefully your neuropathy will disappear as rapidly as it appeared in the first place. I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

[Patient001 in reply to 1jay]

Mine told me to put Vaporub.

[RoadRunner44]

Hi, I was interested in your post as I started having neuropathic symptoms over a year ago. I thought it was restless legs syndrome. It turned out it was peripheral neuropathy probably caused by the anti depressant Citalopram. I gradually came off the tablets and the horrible symptoms disappeared. It took me three months before being free from the symptoms.A shortage of iron can also cause these symptoms as well as being a side effect of type 2 diabetes.

Unfortunately most GPs have little understanding of neuropathy so I suggest you be pro active and do a little research of your own.

Hope you get it sorted.

[Karjade]

I have been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy in my feet which I have now had for four years. I was referred to a neurologist which did not help and then referred to the Pain Clinic . They took a B6 test and it was very high and I had a telephone consultation with a dietitian and we went through what I ate and she said it was nothing to do with what I was eating. I have never taken B6 supplements so I was at a loss. I cut down on high B6 foods and that was all I could really do but nothing has helped the neuropathy. I was prescribed Gabapentin which I could not get on with so I am now on a low dose of amitriptyline which does not really help. I have read that high B6 can cause peripheral neuropathy but B6 is in most foods and you need a certain amount daily to be healthy. It is very hard to know what to do for the best and I feel the damage has already been done for me when my B6 was high.

[RoadRunner44 in reply to Karjade]

If you are taking any medication why not check that its not the cause of your neuropathy. Doing some research has helped me enormously to understand neuropathy better. As I said, I was advised to look at the anti depressant citalopram which I was taking. I found it was listed as a drug that could worsen neuropathy.Its a dreadful condition to have, I so remember the burning hot feet, dead toes, leg pains and other symptoms well.

If you go on the restless legs forum there's a fantastic man who goes under Manerva on there. He helps everyone with neuropathic pain and restless leg syndrome. He knows more than some doctors do about these conditions.

Good luck.

[Karjade in reply to RoadRunner44]

The only medication I am a bit suspicious of is my glaucoma drops. It says on the leaflet could cause tingling feet and hands and I got neuropathy not long after I started on these. I cannot stop the eye drops but I will ask the Consultant if I can try a different one. I take these glaucoma drops twice a day. The other medication that may cause the neuropathy to be worse is amitriptyline but I am only on 10mg and I had the neuropathy before I went on these. Neuropathy is so miserable to live with!

[RoadRunner44 in reply to Karjade]

Give Manerva a chance on The Restless Legs site. You won't regret it.