B6 Toxixity

[deanna22]

I have had numbness, tingling and burning in my left arm for around 2 years now. It started getting worse about a year ago and now happens in my arms, legs, face, back, trunk, etc.
I also have a strange feeling (it's hard to describe) like
my body is allergic to itself or something. Weakness, fatigue, lightheadiness, off balance, and nausea are also some of the symptoms.
I have been sent to different doctors to no avail until this
past week. I went to a neurologist and he ordered blood tests.
His office called me yesterday and said for me to stop taking my prenatal vitamins (my OB/GYN put me on them about 2 1/2 years ago, said they were the best vitamins anyone can take), because my B6 levels were in the 30's and should only be in the 20's. They said for me to have my blood drawn in a week to have levels rechecked. My question is, could this really be the cause of all my problems. If so, can the damage be reversed?

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW]

Yes, B6 in excess can cause a sensory neuropathy

We must remember that not all doses of all vitamins are good, and vitamin toxicity can be as serious as vitamin deficiency.

Vitamins are given in larger quantities during pregnancy due to the iincreased metabolic demand, but I don't think you have been pregnant for 2 1/2 years!

Once the levels come back down to normal, your sy mptoms should improve if that is the cause. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse the workup for other causes should continue

good luck

[deanna22]

Thanks so much for an answer to my question.  No, I wasn't even pregnant when my doctor gave them to me.  He just gives me a prescription for them every year when he does my exam and says,"Don't forget to take your vitamins!!"
Needless to say, I won't be taking them anymore!!!

[travelinkaren]

How interesting.  I had a high homosystine level so was given a script for Folic Acid.  This particular pill had B12 as one of the ingredients.  In about 4 months  my B12 blood level was 22.000, yes, you read that right, 22,000.  I asked a specialist on B12 and she said there was no toxixity, my doctor said not to worry about it but she did find me folic acid with no other ingredients..  I think it was shortly after that when I started to develop my symptoms for DIPD.
travelinkaren

[deanna22]

Sorry, I hit the wrong key on the Subject Line
Should have been B6 Toxicity.