B6 (pyridoxal phosphate) levels very high in bloodwork

[ballagher]

I have been tested twice recently for B6 level.  My first test two months ago indicated a 156 level with normal range being 20-96.  My second test indicated at 283 level.  My physician has no idea what this means and if there is a problem.  I am concerned that there is a toxic level of B6 and I should be doing something about it.  I'm not talking anything except multi-vitamin.  I've been concerned about my health for some time as I'm quite fatigued, anxious at work, balance issues (the term lightheaded would be the closest) eyes are sensitive to light, have trouble focusing on people when they talk, and have a few other issues like trouble concentrating, sense of smell has been gone for years and my sense of taste has been affected for quite some time as well.  My skin is quite raw on the knuckles and I think I have psoriasis as well as my nails are pitted and raised.  Not sure what is related but I definitely feel that there is something physicially wrong with me and this high B6 level has been the first thing to come up as being something worth pursuing.  Any help would be appreciated.  

[windsurfergirl]

Thank you Juliana. I am hopefully getting referral to endo soon, so I will definitely look into this, anything that would help! Thank you again!

[juliana508]

Sorry, re last post, you may have guessed but I mis-typed name of rare condition!  Should have read 'HYPOPHOSPHATASIA'.  Do not confuse this with similar sounding, but totally different condition of hypophosphataemia by the way. Regards

[juliana508]

Hi, not sure if the rare metabolic disorder you mentioned was myself (posted July 14th last year). Named HYPOPHOSPHSTASIA. RAISED B6 & low in the enzyme ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE ( NB phosphate itself may be normal or raised so note not phosphate but rather the enzyme phosphatASE.). It can affect many things & has been shown in mice (!!) to affect the gut flora. I have this condition & can echo dreadful gut problems over the years, muscle weakness etc. Anyway, the above two blood tests would help point to that condition if you have it. There is then a particular urine test that would confirm it. Let me know if you need info re that test. Best wishes.

[windsurfergirl]

And all others on this forum. There was one post and I cannot remember by whom- where her husband had been diagnosed with a rare metabolic disorder that caused elevated B6. Can you advice on the name of the metabolic condition? I am afraid not even all endocrinologist would be able to pintpoint on the right diagnosis.!
After reviewed all the posts, there is one thing in common: GUT! Either an occult infection, chronic infection, food sensitivity/allergy that lead into some sort of SIBO or leaky gut/dysbiosis. This happened to me! I first got infected with some nasty travel bug in New Zealand 3/12 - I think Giardia but it was never isolated. 6 months later I finally was treated for Giardia but I think it continued to reoccur. My gut has been an issue on and off but better now than it was ever before. 2 weeks ago tested by B6 and B12 and both were high - 90 B6 where normal is 30, B12 was 1200, normal up to 900. Soo...somethings is either brewing these levels up (like a bug/infection in gu) or my body has stopped metabolizing them. So I will keep  researching but in the meanwhile, for all those with fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue etc- gut is so important to heal first. Avoiding allergenic foods would be first and foremost: gluten, eggs, dairy, peanuts, soy and corn. To head gut this has worked for me: FiberSmart (fructo-oligosaccharides/slippery elm) 1 scoop in juice/water in the moring, 50billion units of probiotics daily to twice daily (fora while I wondered if the probiotics may elevate B6?)- Sacchraromyces bourardii once to three times daily, Boswellia three times per day (very anti-inflammatory to gut-) and L-Glutamine 500mg three times per day 1st week, then 1000mg three times per day for at least a month. This has worked for me. I can now eat some wheat again and coffee which I love. Good quality curcumin could be added to the above regimen as well. Cheers, and hope to find some answers soon on B6/B12 elevation!

[Eyenet]

Liza, I also have been diagnosed with fibromyagia, but most recently my IBS, that I've had for 20 some years, had gotten worse, so my GI ran a breath test and I have SIBO--small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.  I took a course of antibiotics, and this really helped!  However, I am learning how to heal my gut properly, as I cannot tolerate wheat, gluten, fructose, sugars, and have not been able to get back on probiotics, since I am also fructose intolerant.  Please get tested for any gut conditions, as learning how to deal with my gut issues has really helped my fibromyalgia, and I think they are all related.  My lastest blood work tested a little high for B6, and with SIBO, it causes malabsorption issues of nutrients, so this goes hand in hand with problems like this.  

[Eyenet]

Laura K and others:

I too have been diagnosed with SIBO now for about 8 months, and IBS for 20 years.  My B6 is only slightly elevated, but I still experience the numbing pain/high anxiety/racing heart esp a night/ tightness in arms/neck/lower back.  Off all supplements except mega vitamin D (5000-10000 IU daily), and this DOES help!!  I also take Green Pastures High Butter Oil/Fermented Cod liver oil, and I tell you, this combo with the Vit D has really helped me to feel better, but I still have bad days of fatigue and gut issues.  I also think the gut is the main component in all of these B issues---bad malabsorption of nutrients I would bet!!!!!  I am ready to heal my gut!  Been on low carbohydrate/no wheat/low sugar/low FODMAPS diet, and this has helped tremendously!  Going to take the advice of others above and get back into EXERCISING!!!!!  And, I might add, I try to visit my chiropractor regulary, even though my insurance doesn't pay for it, but I tell you, this also has made my back/arm /anxiety symptoms go way down when I keep up with it!!!  I am a believer!!!!  Got my SIBO diagnosed with a hydrogen breath test from my GI, but this MD doesn't' know how to treat SIBO unfortunately.  I agree that blood levels should be checked, all the thyroid function levels tested, not just TSH, and get a breath test if you have concurrent gut issue/IBS, etc.  Good luck!!!!  I wish all of you health and wellness in 2014!!!!  Let's beat this thing together!!!