Master Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) Deficiency with Picmonic for Physician Assistant

Several studies suggest that low dose oral contraceptives may negatively impact vitamin B6 status.

Severe vitamin B6 deficiency can result in neurologic changes including seizures. Seizures are defined as transient episodes of abnormal excessive neuronal activity.

Hyperirritability is a nonspecific symptom commonly associated with vitamin B6 deficiency.

Vitamin B6 deficiency can cause peripheral neuropathy, characterized by numbness, tingling, or pain in the arms and legs.

Pyridoxal phosphate, an active form of vitamin B6, is used as a cofactor for the enzyme ALA synthase in the heme synthesis pathway. Vitamin B6 deficiency can lead to improper heme synthesis and can cause sideroblastic anemia, characterized by ringed sideroblasts (hypochromic RBCs with basophilic granules) seen on bone marrow biopsy, and occasionally found in the peripheral blood on smear as well.