Vitamin B6 Deficiency Symptoms

Vitamin B6 is a very important vitamin that carries out various chemical reactions in the body. Its benefits include formation of heme group, which is the oxygen-carrying part of the hemoglobin. It also helps in the reduction of stress, prevention of dental caries, lowering of cholesterol, and plays a major role in the functioning of the brain.

Vitamin B6 is basically a part of the complex group of vitamin B; however, its deficiency can occur due to many reasons.

Vitamin B6 deficiency is a very rare case as it is present in most of the foods. There are certain factors that prevent the absorption of this vitamin leading to its deficiency. These factors include:

• Persistent diarrhea
• Starvation
• Genetic disorders
• Drug interaction
• Alcoholism

Another factor is use of contraceptive pills as they disturb tryptophan metabolism and lead to vitamin B6 deficiency.

The symptoms of deficiency may differ in individuals. They are often overlooked as this deficiency occurs rarely. The symptoms in adults include:

• ADD (attention deficiency)
• Anxiety
• Chronic fatigue
• Cracked skin at the corners of the mouth
• Crying spells
• Depression
• Easy agitation and frustration
• Feeling of uneasiness
• Fibrillation

• Heart arrhythmia
• Heart palpitations
• Insomnia
• Indigestion
• Irritability
• Lack of sex drive
• Nervousness
• Paranoia
• Rapid weight gain or loss
• Skin rashes
• Restlessness
• Mouth and tongue sores
• Suicidal thoughts
• Tingling sensation in hands, fingers, and toes
• Water retention
• Weakness
• Mental problems

Women who take birth-control pills or consume excess alcohol are at a risk of experiencing the symptoms. Others at risk include pregnant or breastfeeding women, those taking medications like isoniazid, hydralazine, penicillamine, etc., and women on high protein diet. The symptoms in women include:

• Depression
• Mood swings
• Migraine
• Hair loss
• Irritability
• Anemia
• Loss of appetite
• Dry skin
• Cracks on tongue and lips
• Weakness

It is very important to monitor the children because the deficiency can lead to complete nervous system breakdown and growth problems. The symptoms in children include:

• Anemia
• Seizures
• Diarrhea
• Irritability
• Stunted growth

The recommended daily intake of vitamin B6 for an infant is about 0.1 to 0.4 mg. Children within the age group of 1 to 13 years need 1 mg while adults need 1.3 to 1.7 mg of this vitamin in their daily diet. Therefore, one needs to start taking a multivitamin tablet or B-complex tonic under the supervision of a doctor to overcome the deficiency.

Disclaimer: This post is for informative purposes only and does not in any way attempt to replace the advice offered by an expert on the subject.