Medical expert of the article
New publications
Vitamin B6-deficiency anemias: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Vitamin B6 deficiency anemia develops with deficiency or increased intake of vitamin B 6.
Vitamin B6 is found in large quantities in fresh vegetables, cereals, yeast, meat, egg yolks and other products. Therefore, true hypo- or avitaminosis of vitamin B6 is very rare and mainly occurs in infants. The causes of vitamin B6 deficiency are one-sided milk feeding, long-term intestinal infections accompanied by dysbacteriosis. B6 -deficiency anemia can be caused by increased consumption of the vitamin, which is observed in some patients receiving anti-tuberculosis drugs of the isonicotinic acid group (isothiazide, tubazid, GINK, ftivazid, salyuzid and others). Derivatives of isonicotinic acid form compounds with pyridoxine, which are excreted from the body with urine. It is assumed that these patients have a hereditary defect in the synthesis of porphyrins.
Symptoms of Vitamin B6 Deficiency Anemia
Characterized by a general deterioration, anxiety, and sleep disturbance. Appetite decreases, dyspeptic disorders are possible. Muscle hypotonia increases, neurological symptoms such as hyperkinetic syndrome are possible. Manifestations of anemic syndrome of varying severity.
Laboratory data
The hemogram shows hypochromic anemia, anisocytosis, poikilocytosis.
Serum iron level is within normal limits. The characteristic biochemical sign is hyperxanthinenuria.
Treatment of vitamin B6 deficiency anemia
- Diet correction.
- Vitamin B6 intramuscularly, daily until signs of anemia are eliminated, in a dose 5 times higher than the age-appropriate prophylactic dose.
What tests are needed?
Использованная литература