eMedTV Home » Women Channel » Vitamin B6 Toxicity Taking high doses of vitamin B6 could lead to toxic effects in your body. The classic sign of this problem is peripheral neuropathy (nerve problems in the hands and feet), which can cause numbness, tingling, pricking, and burning. While the nerve problems due to vitamin B6 toxicity are often reversible once the supplement is stopped, very high doses can cause permanent damage. An Overview of Vitamin B6 Toxicity Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is a water-soluble vitamin. Although people tend to think of water-soluble vitamins as being non-toxic, vitamin B6 can actually cause significant toxicity. Although vitamin B6 side effects may sometimes be seen even with normal doses, toxicity usually occurs with high doses. What Are the Signs? Cause of Vitamin B6 Toxicity More Headlines in Vitamin B6 Toxicity Vitamin B6 Toxicity Article Continues on Next Page » Last reviewed by: , List of references (click here)
‣ Vitamin B6‣ Vitamin B6 Benefits‣ Vitamin B6 Side Effects‣ Does Vitamin B6 Work?‣ Vitamin B6 DosageMeat and eggs are top sources of B vitamins. Vitamin B1, vitamin B2 and vitamin B6 all help your body make energy from the foods that you eat. The vitamins are present in meat, seafood, eggs, milk and cheese. If you eat a balanced diet, you probably get all of the vitamin B1, B2 and B6 that you need. Certain vitamins can cause health problems if you consume too much, and knowing how much is too much can help you prevent an overdose. Vitamin B1 Vitamin B1, also called thiamin, keeps your heart, muscles and nervous system working the way they're supposed to. It also provides energy to your brain. Adult women need 1.1 milligrams of vitamin B1 each day, and adult men should have 1.2 milligrams. Vitamin B1 is a water-soluble vitamin, which means that if you take in more than you need, you'll excrete the excess in your urine. Because your body gets rid of what you don't need, it is highly unlikely that you'll take in too much vitamin B1, and there no known risk of poisoning connected to the vitamin.
Vitamin B2 Vitamin B2, also called riboflavin, plays a role in normal growth and the production of red blood cells. The daily requirement of vitamin B2 is 1.1 milligrams for women and 1.3 milligrams for men. Vitamin B2 is a water-soluble vitamin, so your body doesn't store excess amounts. Instead, any vitamin B2 that you consume that your body doesn't use is excreted in your urine. Because your body doesn't hold onto vitamin B2, there isn't an upper limit recommended for safety. Vitamin B2 has not been known to cause poisoning. Vitamin B6 Vitamin B6, also a water-soluble vitamin, helps your body metabolize protein and fats. The daily recommended intake of vitamin B6 is 1.3 milligrams for adults between the ages of 18 and 50. After age 50, men need 1.7 milligrams a day and women need 1.5 milligrams. According to the National Institutes of Health, consuming too much B6 from food is unlikely. However, too much vitamin B6 in supplement form can cause adverse reactions. An excess of vitamin B6 can cause sensory neuropathy.
It can also cause painful skin lesions, gastrointestinal problems, nausea and heartburn. Typically, the symptoms disappear if an individual stops taking the supplement. The upper limit for vitamin B6 intake is 100 milligrams per day. Considerations You probably get plenty of vitamins B1, B2 and B6 from your diet, but if you suspect that you're deficient, talk with your doctor. You might benefit from a supplement. Don't take a vitamin supplement, especially a vitamin B6 supplement, without asking your doctor, however, because it's far easier to consume too much from a tablet or vitamin than from the foods you eat. Before taking any supplements, tell your doctor what other medications and supplements you take to be sure it doesn't interact with something you're already taking. References MedlinePlus: B VitaminsU.S. During pregnancy, it is important to get the proper nutrients to foster healthy fetal development. You may be tempted to take a multivitamin in addition to other supplements. However, vitamin overdose can occur when an individual takes more than the recommended daily amount of a vitamin.
This can result when taking more than one multivitamin, or when taking individual vitamins in addition to a multivitamin. While any vitamin can be toxic, if taken in large amounts, calcium and iron pose the greatest toxic risks when taken in excess. Taking a multivitamin during pregnancy is important, although it is best to talk with your doctor before taking any additional supplements to avoid overdosing. Note: Adequate intakes (AIs) are shown in bold type, while recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) are shown in regular type. *1 niacin equivalent (NE) = 1 mg niacin or 60 mg of dietary tryptophan. †200 IU (international unit) of vitamin D = 5 μg cholecalciferol. ND = not determinable due to a lack of data (intake should be limited to foods); RAE = retinol activity equivalents (1 µg RAE of preformed vitamin A= 3.33 IU). Adapted from Dietary Reference Intakes, Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Washington, DC: National Academy Press. Symptoms of vitamin overdose also include symptoms that are a part of normal pregnancy.
If you suspect a vitamin overdose, note changes in your pregnancy symptoms that might be explained by the excessive vitamins. Symptoms of a vitamin overdose may include but are not limited to the following: If you think you may have overdosed on a multivitamin or supplement, it is important to contact a medical professional immediately. Do not make yourself throw up, unless instructed to do so by a health care professional. Before calling, be prepared to answer the following questions: You can call the National Poison Control Center’s 24-hour helpline at 1-800-222-1222. It does not need to be an emergency to call. You are welcome to call for any question or concern related to overdosing or poisoning. Vitamins and supplements are not one of those things where more is better. The American Pregnancy Association recommends you follow your healthcare provider’s prescription or the directions on your prenatal vitamin bottle. Although taking vitamins can be healthy, too much can be a bad thing.