. . . Are there any risks associated with too much vitamin B6?
The current recommended maximum daily intake is 100 mg. High doses of vitamin B6 can, over time, be toxic, and may result in nerve damage or numbness and tingling in the extremities that may eventually be irreversible.
[Yes, he said irreversible.]
You should discontinue use of supplemental B6 if any unusual numbness develops in the body.
Too much B6 can also cause oversensitivity to sunlight, which can lead to skin rashes and numbness, as well as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and increased liver function test results. . . .
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Now, there comes a bit more study if you've not taken B-6 in a while. Check the levels in the B-complex formula.
Is that getting to your cells? I've read that ONLY sublingual B-6 is actually absorbed (& that from FOOD sources).
There are questions that come to mind such as it the test accurate -- maybe if the vitamin you take is not well absorbed would too much be "floating around" so to speak and not being absorbed and used but still too high and, therefore, potentially toxic?
I do not know. Just a questions.
Is there any other reason that the B-6 test would read "high" -- or other reason that your body has too much?
As your neurologist was bright to consider this, he or she may have suggestions for you for when and the type later on, etc.
Should you limit foods high in B-6 right now? If so, for how long?
How long for the levels to even out? A week, a month? When would it be okay to start B-complex again?
Would you always need to get certain B's separately? Could you get enough in your food?
For your full range nutritional protocol, it would be best professional with training in this area. Or at least start studying from experts on this topic.
For now, of course, STOP THE B-complex. However, you may need to take individual B's -- best to get vitamins from food sources when possible.
If you LATER consider a sublingual B-6, be sure it is gluten-free as many are not.
==========================================
It's best to consult with an ILADS-educated LL (lyme literate) doctor who has completed four years of post-graduate medical education in the field of herbal and nutritional medicine -
- and someone who is current with ILADS' research & presentations, past and present. -----------------------
Integrative / Holistic M.D., etc. (Be aware that those in this category can have various levels of formal herbal &/or nutritional education, perhaps even just a short course. Do ask first.)
Links to many articles and books by holistic-minded LL doctors of various degrees . . . . -
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
thanks keeb. there is 100 mg b6 in the complex i take. and i am taking 2 a day...but i am supposed to take up to 4 a day for mitochondrial problem from taking lipitor
it is very hard or impossible to find the B's separately
once i had a highreading of b12 but iwas doing the shots but it makes me wonder if i dont absorb and if it is hanging in my blood so tests high...b12 never made urine pink like it was supposed to but i never felt different
so i know i need to stop the complex...have to put on hold how to supp with B...too complicated now. thanks for helping me think it thru
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Marnie won't like this.
Posted by canefan17 (Member # 22149) on :
Aren't most of us her severely deficient in B-Vitamins though?
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
i hope i can understand marnies response...i trust her more than a duck
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
First, Ipkayak, are you experiencing any of those "overdose" symptoms? (Tingling, numbness, etc.) Or are you relying upon the test results?
As far as I know, most EVERYONE is deficient in the B Vitamins, because they are mainly found in whole grains and organ meats!
BTW, you can find "separate" Bs at most health food stores - but they are fast becoming scarce in this economy. (I know of three in my extended neighborhood that have closed in the past 5 years.) Otherwise, you can try shopping online.
Another excellent source of B-complex is Brewers Yeast, which also packs a generous dose of trace minerals as well. I always feel a response whenever I bother to make smoothies with this "nutritional" yeast, or "malts" (milk, honey, yeast) - and it's not expensive.
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
BTW I wouldn't stop them. I take a single B-50 a day (available from Twin Labs or Bluebonnet), which only has 50 mg of B6. You could start by just taking one of your B-100s until they are gone, and then buy a B-50 preparation.
When I miss my Bs for a day or two, my ankles swell terribly, and my energy goes down.
Posted by FuzzySlippers (Member # 13658) on :
lpkayak,
Maybe you could talk with your doctor about taking the P-5-P form of B6 instead? P5P stands for Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate.
It's considered a safer form of B6 for supplementation issues, sometimes.
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
Thorne brand has multiple different B vitamin formulas. Maybe one of these will work for you instead of having to buy multiple different individual supplements. You could ask your doctor.
I take their Basic B Complex. It has only 10mg of B6 (the P5P form). Some of the formulas don't have B6, they have higher levels of other B vitamins.
The first thing I would do before changing my supplements is to have the test repeated. I have learned that a one time test may or may not be accurate.
B vitamins are water soluble. Except for B 12 which is stored most of the others do not hang around in the blood for longer than 24 hours. Most docs actually recommend supplementing with B vitamins multiple times per day because of this.
If you are absorbing the B vitamins your urine should be kind of fluorescent yellow/green.
Do you remember your dreams? It is my understanding that that is one way to tell if you are taking enough B6. If you are deficient you will not remember your dreams.
Are you taking any SSRI's -- not sure but they might interfere in conversion of B6 to serotonin.
This is not medical advice, just my opinion based on hubby's experiences.
Bea Seibert
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
thank you all...i will try to answer.
-yes i do have numbness and tingling and have had it for many yrs-it comes and goes. also stinging, icepick and elec pain...nerve pain that has been worse latel
the last yr i upped my Bs cuz of mito problems
b4 the last supp i bought-solgar 100s i used to take a B complex and then took exra B6 for insomnia so the dream thing makes sense
myy dreams have changed recently to vivid-kinda scarey...but i dont remember hem. but i am dreaming and getting to rem sleep-which i never did b4
i thought they were water soluble too...and wonder if like keeb said above i am not absorbing for some reason (and dr weil says they can cause nerve damage...so guess i need to pay attention to that)
my sleep is generally under control now with and antihisimine so i dont need the b6 for that
ummmm i dont take ssris-i like the idea of switching to 50s...they didnt test the other bs cuz only the 6 can cause a nerve problem...not sure if they are high too
i take 4 mags everyday-mag tab sr...but mag did not test high-i guess that also can cause nerve problems when too high
but i think whenyou take reflux drug you may need extra mag...i get spasams without it
and the Bb is using it too i guess...so much for thinking i really dont have Bb anymore
thx sammy for the thorn brand with low b6-i buy on internet but even there it can be hard to find all the bs...
and fuzzy thanks for that...i dont see myself talking to him about this...but im glad to have the choice
hopefully i will be buying a house next friday and after that i willl focus on this...til then i am going to tke one 100-no extra 6 and just hope i get thru this week.