DOC I HAVE Vitamin B6 DeficiencyVitamin B6(pyridoxine) Deficiency is a medical condition caused by the deficiency of the human body of Vitamin B6 as a result of inadequate dietary intake or impaired absorption.Vitamin B6 is present in all living human tissues as an important  enzymes in amino acid metabolismFunctions of Vitamin B6:1.It is converted to pyridoxal phosphate a co-enzyme of a seies of enzymes that atalyze tramination, decarboxylation and deamination of amin acids.Vitamin B6 is found primarily in 1.animal sources - red meat, liver, milk, egg yolks2.vegetable sources: Vitamin B6 is found in fresh green and yellow vegetables, cerealsIt is rare as a isolated Vitamin B6 deficiency.Optimal requirements of Vitamin B6 are:1.adults and children above puberty: 1 mg to 2 mg dailyPregnant mother and elderly may need double the amount.2.Infants and children before puberty: 0.5 mg to 1 mg dailyCauses:Vitamin B6 Deficiency occurs 1.when there is Vitamin B6 deficiencies due to a.diet - starvation,lactating mothers should take more Vitamin B6b.malabsorption as in celiac syndrome, sprue or hepatitic cirrhosisc.alcoholismd.medications such as isoniazid, hydralazine, cycloserine and penicillamine2.Severity of Vitamin B6 deficiency is inversely related to age.It is more common in elderly people.Symptoms:1.Vitamin B6 Deficiency is a silent disease in the early stages. People with Vitamin B6 Deficiency often do not know that they have the condition. 2.Skin changes - seborrheic dermatitis of nose, mouth 3.Mucosal changes -oral erosions of the buccal lining3.peripheral neuropathyDiagnosis:1.Blood Vitamin B6 levels are lowTreatment:The goal of Vitamin B6 Deficiency treatment is the prevention of peripheral neuropathy and skin lesions.Therefore, prevention of Vitamin B6 Deficiency is as important as treatment. Vitamin B6 Deficiency treatment and prevention measures are: Medications:Vitamin B6 supplements1.Vitamin B6 is given at 5 mg per day orally until the response is adequate.2.prevention of Vitamin B6 deficiency in people taking isoniazid, hydralazine, cycloserine and penicillinamine3.Patients with homocystinuriaSide effects are:1.Vitamin B6 does not give side effects because being water soluble it is excreted easily in the urine if large doses are ingested2.It should not be given in patients taking levodopa because it antagonizes the effects of the drug.Prognosis:1.good response to treatment in Vitamin B6 deficiency in early stages.2.treat underlying cause such as malabsorption to get a good response in the treatment of Vitamin B6 Deficiency.Prevention:take more red meat, liver, egg yolks, cereals and fresh green vegetables.

read more: A Family Doctor's Tale - VITAMIN B6 DEFICIENCY