Foods containing B6?

[1jay]

Hello, my GP has done two B6 blood tests which give me an abnormally high B6 level. She is not overly concerned but from NHS website I understand this might be an explanation for the neuropathy. Can anyone advise on foods particularly high in B6 that I might avoid? I have never supplemented with B6. Thanks in advance for any help and/or sharing any experience of this.

[Karjade]

I also have high B6 blood results and have never taken supplements. I have peripheral neuropathy in my feet which I know high B6 could have caused. I was referred to a dietitian to go through everything I eat and she did not think it was food related. B6 seems to be in most food but I have cut back on bananas, red meat and tuna. In the meantime I am really suffering with my feet and have had no further help from the medical profession. I would be very interested to know how you get on.

[1jay in reply to Karjade]

Hi and thank you for replying to me. I had also thought of going to see a dietitian to see if I am eating too much of something with B6 but as you say it seems to be in so many foods it will be hard to avoid. Also, I read some research that said B6 from food is not toxic. It’s a mystery! I am currently trying the so called ‘DPN Cocktail’ (diabetic peripheral neuropathy), which consists of Alpha Lipoic Acid 600mg, EPO 1300mg, vit C 500mg, to see if that might improve things. I am about a month in and I don’t notice any changes yet but I guess it’s early days.

My main issue is numb toes at night plus burning/itching soles of feet once I’m horizontal. I practice distraction techniques (sleep stories on Calm app) and try and get off to sleep before my feet get going as it were! I don’t notice the numbness during the day but I can obsess about it before sleep if I’m not careful which makes for a dreadful night's rest.

I’ll post again if I am making any progress or have any new input. Thanks again for your contact. Good luck with it all.

[1jay in reply to Karjade]

Hi Karjade

Just wondering if cutting high B6 foods has made any difference yet? I am cutting out soya and bananas which I used to eat every day to see if I can get my high B6 level down in case that improves the neuropathy. No difference as yet for me though sadly. Hope you are doing okay.

[Karjade in reply to 1jay]

Hi. I really did cut down foods with high B6 foods but it has made absolutely no difference whatsoever. My feet are now worse than ever and I am really struggling with it all. I spoke to a nurse yesterday from the Pain Clinic and she has put me on the list for a lidocaine infusion to see if it will help with my burning feet and also she is writing to my doctor asking if I can have another B6 blood test to see if it is still high. Are you on any medication from your doctor? I have been put on 10mg amitriptyline which does not help one bit! It is hell to try and get off as well as I had terrible withdrawals so I have had to go back on it and try and ween off very slowly. How are you doing? xx

[1jay in reply to Karjade]

Hi there, so sorry to hear that things haven’t improved for you. It seems a very difficult condition, you have my sympathy truly. My neuropathy seems stable at the moment. I was prescribed Clonazepam to help with sleep but I don’t take it because I am sure it will be addictive and I don’t want another issue. No other medication. My management strategy is to take Valerian as a (herbal) sleep aid and I listen to a sleep story on the Calm app as a way of distracting myself from obsessing about the funny feelings in my feet. I also find it helps me to get off to sleep before the burning sensations ramp up. If they do get going I can’t sleep and have to stand on the tiles bathroom floor to calm them down. Nightmare! I was also wondering if it was worth taking a B12 supplement to see if that might help although I am within the normal range. Best of luck with finding something that helps. Will let you know if I get anywhere with anything.

PS apparently it may take six months before the symptoms abate if people who have been supplementing with B6 stop. So maybe early days? Definitely get another blood test to see B6 level now. Be interested to know impact of reducing B6 foods. Also, I do meditate (10 mins on Calm app) most days and I think that may help a bit, some think stress doesn’t help .... xx

[1jay in reply to Karjade]

Hi Karjade

Hope you are doing okay. Just wondering if you did indeed manage to get a further B6 blood test and whether cutting down on B6 foods made a difference to the level of B6 in your blood? I can’t say changing my diet has (yet?) made any difference to my neuropathy. Also, confusingly, the conventional wisdom seems to be that high B6 levels, if raised via nutrition rather than supplementation, won’t be toxic. My level was 132 nmol/L which the GP didn’t feel was concerning (range is 35-110). Anyway, hope you are making some progress.

[Karjade in reply to 1jay]

Hi. I had another B6 blood test three weeks ago and the result has still not come back. I phoned the doctors today chasing it but all they said was to phone back on Monday! My neuropathy in my feet is just as bad and probably worse. Still on the list to have a Lidocaine infusion and have not heard anything! It is so hard trying to get anywhere with the doctors and hospital! I still eat the odd banana and never eat tuna now but eat a lot of chicken which is supposed to be high in B6. I am still trying to stop amitriptyline and have reduced down to half a tablet now (5mg) and hopefully will be off this soon. It did not help and I would not increase the dose as there are so many side effects. I am trying to concentrate now on what I can do and not what I can’t do! I will let you know about my B6 result when they eventually come back xx

[1jay in reply to Karjade]

Hi! Good to hear you are adopting a positive mindset. I am also trying to come to terms with the fact that this is something I am going to have to learn to live with. That said, it is worth trying all available options and I wish you luck with the Lidocaine infusion. So agree dealing with the medics can be very frustrating at times! Look forward to hearing more when you get your blood results. Go well in the meantime.

[Karjade]

I will certainly let you know the B6 result when it eventually comes back. Had a really bad day today and it is really hard to keep positive when my feet are burning so much and nothing works! I am worse when it is hot so much prefer the winter weather. Good luck to you too and please stay in touch xx