Am I Toxic?
We defined B6 toxicity in the Defined section. Here is a review of that definition.
We now define B6 toxicity as toxicity from vitamin B6 that causes sensory, autonomic, and/or motor neuropathy with or without a high B6 value on a standardized Western medicine blood test.
Do you have sensory (burning, pins, and needles, or stabbing pain), autonomic (all that is automatic may be acting up), or motor (muscle issues) neuropathy? Do you have an above-normal Western medicine vitamin B6 blood test? Then chances are you are toxic.
What if you have sensory, autonomic, or motor neuropathy, but you don’t have a high B6 Western medicine blood test? It is possible to have symptoms of B6 toxicity without an abnormal B6 blood test. We know from research that B6 blood levels do not correspond to symptoms (Jortner, Bernard, 2000; Berger, A.R., et al, 1992; Stewart, Sarah, et al, 2021). Without the abnormal blood work, members sometimes doubted that their symptoms could be from vitamin B6 toxicity. If this is the case, work with your doctors to eliminate all other possible causes of neuropathy. If you are still idiopathic, then try the B6T Smart Protocol. The Protocol is balanced hydration, diet, exercise and common sense.
Blood Test & Lab Test
Members in the Understanding B6 Toxicity Facebook group have either solid guidance from their medical providers or little to no guidance. If you are fortunate to have a doctor that understands Small Fiber Polyneuropathy caused by vitamin B6 toxicity, then follow your doctor’s advice. For many of our members, the patient is educating the doctor. It is the latter member that needs guidance for blood work. The lists below are suggestions based on the group’s experiences and Neuropathy Common’s blood test list. The blood tests suggested below are guidelines that need to be approved by your medical care provider.
Besides getting your vitamin B6 blood test, we suggest to get a baseline for several other blood tests. If you have great insurance then these tests will probably be covered and your doctor will order the tests. If you have a high deductible plan where you will have out-of-pocket expenses then an online lab, like Walk-In Lab, is usually cheaper than doctor-ordered blood work. Walk-In Lab allows you to order blood work without a doctor’s order. You place the order and pay through Walk-In Lab. You then take the lab order to Quest (preferred) or LabCorp for the blood draw. The results are back in your Walk-In lab portal the next day. B6 blood test takes three to four days. Quest is the preferred lab due to lower cost, better B6 results, and historical results data displayed on their website.
B6T Smart Panel #1 – Taken Quarterly
- Walk-In Lab’s Quest Wellness #2 Essential Blood Test Panel. The Wellness #2 panel includes a Complete Metabolic Panel (CMP-14) with eGRF Blood Test, Glucose Levels, Kidney Profile, Liver Panel, Fluids and Electrolytes, Lipid Panel with Total Cholesterol:HDL Ratio, Thyroid Panel with Thyroid-stimulating Hormone (TSH), Complete Blood Count (CBC) with Differential and Platelets, Mineral and Bone.
- Walk-In Lab’s Quest Vitamin B1 Whole Blood Test. This test measures the levels of B1 (thiamine) in the blood.
- Walk-In Lab’s Quest Vitamin B6 Blood Test. This test measures the level of B6 in your blood. It measures a B6 form called PLP (aka – P5P). Fasting is required.
- Walk-In Lab’s Quest Vitamin B12 Blood Test. This test measures the B12 in your blood.
- Walk-In Lab’s Quest Vitamin D 25-Hydroxy Blood Test. This test measures vitamin D blood levels.
Total Quest price for all of this blood work is $249.00. Walk-In Labs often runs 15% to 20% site-wide coupons during holidays. During these coupon sales STOCK UP! You can order your blood work for the next three months using the 15% or 20% off coupon. You will need to order it in separate orders.
The B6T Smart Panel #1 should be taken quarterly for at least the first year. You will need to capture a screen shot of this suggested lab work then click on the the following link to order your blood work. To order this panel, you can click on the panel name above or order your tests here: Walk In Labs.
B6T Smart Panel #2 – Taken Monthly when not Taking the B6T Smart Panel #1
- Walk-In Lab’s Quest Comprehensive Metabolic Panel. This test is a screening to evaluate kidney and liver functioning, electrolytes and glucose.
- Walk-In Lab’s Quest Vitamin B6 Blood Test. This test measures the level of B6 in your blood. It measures a B6 form called PLP (aka – P5P). Fasting is required.
Total Quest price of this blood work is $75.00. It is best to stock up when there is a 15% to 20% coupon.
The B6T Smart Panel #2 panel should be taken at months 2, 3, 5, and 6. It can be taken longer if you want to follow up monthly on your electrolytes and B6 past the six-month period. You will need to capture a screen shot of this suggested lab work then click on the the following link to order your blood work. To order this panel, you can click on the panel name above or order your tests here: Walk In Labs.
Blood Test to Identify Medical Causes of Neuropathy
We often state in the Understanding B6 Toxicity Facebook group to eliminate all causes of small fiber neuropathy. Members and sometimes their health care professionals need guidance with this topic. The best comprehensive list for blood work to eliminate other causes of neuropathy is Neuropathy Common’s blood test list. Print this list out and take it to your doctor! It is your guide to eliminate other cause of small fiber polyneuropathy.
Blood Test in Other Countries
International members have suggested these labs for a vitamin B6 blood test. This is not a complete list.
- Australia: Melbourne Pathology, Douglas Hanly Moir in Sydney, Laverty Pathology in Sydney
- Canada: LifeLabs, Alphalabs
- Greece: Raptislab, Bioxoros
- Hungry: Synlab
- Italy: Synlab
- New Zealand: MedLab
- Poland/Europe: Diag
- UK: Medichecks
Blood Test Reference Range
Each lab will have its own reference range for vitamin B6. There is not a standard range. You also cannot compare blood results across different lab companies, even if they use the same unit of measurement. The reason is the processing methods will be different.
Lab Test to Identify Medical Causes of Neuropathy
We know that B6 toxicity causes Small Fiber Polyneuropathy. Testing, other than blood test, for Small Fiber Polyneuropathy can also be found on Neuropathy Common’s website.
We have set up an affiliate program with Walk-In Labs. If you order through our link, Walk-In Labs contributes to the Research and Education Fund.
See also: SFPN Skin Biopsy Test Kit