Vitamin B6 Deficiency
What Is Vitamin B6 Deficiency?
Vitamin B6 deficiency is a rare nutritional disorder caused by a lack of vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine. This vitamin is important for several functions in the body, such as producing red blood cells and aiding with the growth and repair of the skin, nerve, and muscle cells.Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin B6 Deficiency
The early signs and symptoms of vitamin B6 deficiency may be subtle and nonspecific, but they can include:- Fatigue
- Depression
- Anemia
- Confusion
- Mouth sores
- Loss of appetite
- Skin lesions
- Weakened nervous system
Cause of Vitamin B6 Deficiency
Vitamin B6 levels can be low due to not getting enough of the vitamin in your diet or from certain medical conditions, such as celiac disease, Crohn's disease, and chronic kidney disease. A vitamin B6 deficiency can also be caused by poor absorption in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, due to taking certain medications, chronic alcohol use or other factors.Risk factors
These factors may increase your risk of developing a vitamin B6 deficiency:
- Older age
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Alcoholism
- Malnutrition
- Chronic liver cirrhosis
- Taking certain medications, such as theophylline and isoniazid.