title: Elevated B6 levels and peripheral neuropathies.
abstract: Polyneuropathy related to decreased levels of Vitamin B6 are well known. In contrast, the association between elevated levels of pyridoxine and neuropathy is not well described. This study is a retrospective review of patients in our neuromuscular clinic that were found to have elevated B6 levels. Twenty-six patients were found to have elevated serum B6 levels. The mean B6 level was 68.8 ng/ml. Twenty patients (76.9%) reported daily vitamin use. Twenty-one patients (80.8%) reported only sensory complaints. The most common symptoms reported were numbness (96%), burning pain (49.9%), tingling (57.7%), balance difficulties (30.7%), and weakness (7.8%). Nine (out of 26) had an abnormal EMG/NCS. Eight patients had an abnormal quantitative sensory study. We conclude that elevated pyridoxine levels should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any sensory or sensorimotor polyneuropathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Pennsylvania State College School of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zeris
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kothari