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.  

[ChronicPanc123]

I had major surgery in October 2012--a transduodenal sphincteroplasty which permanently sewed open my biliary and pancreatic sphincters as I suffer from Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction. About two weeks after surgery I developed an Enterobacter sepsis infection, my adrenals failed on me, had a 106 degree temperature and was given Levaquin and hydrocortisone. Since then I have had severe nerve and tendon/joint pain and all of my b vitamins (b1, b2, b6, b9 (folate), and b12) have been elevated over the max range. I never had these particular symptoms in my life before then. I am always tired which I attributed to my adrenal insufficiency (am almost off the steroids). I have thought the nerve and tendon pain was from fluoroquinolone toxicity. Has anyone else been on a fluoroquinolone antibiotic like Levaquin or Cipro? Anyhow, I see an endocrinologist, a nutritional MD, gastroenterologist, rheumatologist, neurologist, family physician, surgeon, and not one of them can explain the reason for my pain or elevated b levels! Maggiemae1952--what did your husband's endocrinologist diagnose him with? I don't take vitamins and just want a solution!!! I am currently being treated for small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). This could be the key as b vitamins are supposed to be metabolized primarily in the lower part of the small intestine. Help!

[saxman4u]

I am not a regular on this forum, but as I read the symptoms many are experiencing I would like to offer some advice.  I am not sure how to get it out to the larger group, but hope if you find what I am writing to be credible, then maybe you will take care of that.  Many are suffering from Hypo and Hyper thyroid disease and don't know it.  The TSH test that doctors typically rely on is useless.  The TSH test tells you your gas tank is full or empty, but full of what?  Could be water...car doesn't run on water.  It does not measure what is happening at the cellular level within the mitochondria.  To determine the thyroid condition there are many factors to consider; blood workup (Chem 26 to start - where are the T1/T2/T3/T4 and reverse T3 levels), parasites in the gut (yes, they are competing for the same nutrients you are), Adrenal fatigue, yeast in the gut as a result of overuse of antibiotics (they kill everything - good and bad bacteria), glutein issues and nutrition.  I believe the symptoms of elevated B6 and symptoms many are experiencing are connected to some or all of the things listed above.  I am not a medical doctor, but have done a lot of research.  My recommendation - get away from traditional medicine and seek out a good integrative medicine doctor.  Look up Dr Broda Barnes/Dr. Andrew Weil/Dr. David Brownstein/Dr. Kharrazian.  These are great resources.  You need to take your health care into your hands and find a doctor who will listen to you about your symptoms, not just throw the medical rhetoric or prescriptions at the problem.  Often times, heal the gut and the patient recovers.  We are what we eat.  

[Campergrl]

Did you ever get diagnosed?  I am currently going through the same.  

[harrietschipper]

I also have celiac and was taking a generic vitamin pill.  Because of numbness in the center of my back a I an MRI and the doctor took a blood test for Vit B6 which was 156.  I am now off the vitamin and anything else that has the ingredients Vit B6 in it.  Many of the drinks for rehydration did ...found it out when I went to get some because I was having diarrhea.  Anyway, Neurologist doesn't know what is causing it.  Hope you are feeling well now.  I have been off Vit B6 for three months, but still have the same numbness.

[harrietschipper]

I also have celiac and was taking a generic vitamin pill.  Because of numbness in the center of my back  I had an MRI and the doctor took a blood test for Vit B6 which was 156.  I am now off the vitamin and anything else that has the ingredients Vit B6 in it.  Many of the drinks for rehydration did ...found it out when I went to get some because I was having diarrhea.  Anyway, Neurologist doesn't know what is causing it.  Hope you are feeling well now.  I have been off Vit B6 for three months, but still have the same numbness.

[casio12]

Early last year, I began having neurological symptoms. They included tingling in my arms and legs, weakness and feeling tired, muscle cramps, small muscle twitches, and tremors that seem to be related to muscle weakness. All these symptoms came on gradually over several months. I eventually also started having trouble sensing acute pain, heat and cold but I can still feel normal touch. At times, I also feel as if a tourniquet is around my left arm and leg.

My brain MRIs appear to be the most significant evidence of disease other than my symptoms. MRIs show around 30 lesions/plaques in the white matter of my brain. Two small enhancements were seen in the first MRI but a second MRI, interpreted by a different radiologist, called it a "phased artifact".
I have seen 3 neurologists specializing in multiple sclerosis and several radiologists have reviewed these MRIs.

One doctor and three radiologists think I have multiple sclerosis. Another doctor suggested I had acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) and a third doctor calls it nonspecific encephalopathy. My spinal tap and other tests were negative for MS. Lyme disease tests are negative as well. I have other tests done but most show nothing.

Another test I did recently shows I have high vitamin b6 levels: 86.3 ng/mL (range = 2.1– 21.7). Could there be a correlation between the MRI results, symptoms and out of sync B6 levels? Do folks on this thread general think they are experiencing metabolic issue with b6? I was only taking 12 mg a day (have stopped now.) If so, are there any known ways to address this? I can't even seem to find a toxic b6 blood level.

Because of this uncertainty in my diagnosis, I have not been able to receive any treatment.
I would appreciate any ideas you might have on a possible diagnosis or if I should pursue the b6 issue.