Is it worth getting your vitamin B6 levels checked?

[lownskater52]

Hello,

As described in previous posts, I've been vegan for 7 years and developed serious b12 deficiency. Prior to supplementation, I've had weakness in the legs, muscle atrophy, poor digestion, weakness and depression for years. My b12 was down to 159, I have a mild anemia (12.7 hemoglobin at last check a couple days ago, 13.2 normal), low free testosterone and folate was fine at 20.

I've been doing some research and found that vitamin b6 deficieny has a lot of similar symptoms as b12 deficiency. B6 also primarily comes from animal products but unlike b12, is present in fruits and vegetables but just at much lower levels. I'm pretty sure I'm going to order a blood test to get it checked out.

Any input on this would be greatly appreciated. With love.

[rockinHippy]

I can’t answer all of your questions, but can confirm that high dose B6 definitely helps. It’s made a huge difference to my daughters very difficult periods & mood swings & mensural migraine for starters.

Our GP couldn’t test for deficiency, but recommend 100mg a day as safe without testing, especially if on B12. Solgar Vitamin B Complex has this amount in & great levels of other B vits too

Can I suggest you also look at Thiamine, no overdose on this & high dose can work wonders & has similar symptoms too. Though I realised that the leg pain you get with B1 deficiency is in a slightly different spot to B12, but very similar. High dose Thiamine fixed what I had been told was arthritis in my hand too.

[fbirder]

This is what the NHS says about B6

Taking doses of 10 to 200mg a day for short periods may not cause any harm.

But there's not enough evidence to say how long these doses could be taken for safely.

You need less than 2 mg per day. So I wouldn't go for the megadoses some people might recommend.

[lownskater52 in reply to fbirder]

Hey fbirder. Thanks again for your help. I think I'll start b6 supps here soon after I get my levels tested. The supp I have now is only 10mg so it shouldn't be too overboard.