Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 includes pyridoxine, pyridoxal and pyridoxamine. This water soluble vitamin is widely available in natural diets, being present in fish, chicken, some fruits and vegetables, and wheat germ. It is partially destroyed by cooking and food processing. Deficiency of this vitamin has been implicated in a wide variety of clinical conditions. B6 may be decreased with malabsorption and inflammatory disease of the small bowel, as well as alcoholism and diabetes mellitus. A deficiency may result in a form of anemia since Pyridoxine is required for heme synthesis. Deficiencies may also impair immune function. In adults, elevated serum homocysteine levels due to vitamin B6 deficiency may promote atherogenesis. B6 deficiency may also result in impaired amino acid metabolism.
Fasting is not required for this test. Always take your medications as prescribed.