B complex vitamins are nutrients the body needs in small amounts (micronutrients) for metabolism, energy production, and overall health of cells, skin, bones, muscles, and the nervous system. The B Complex Vitamin Profile measures all B vitamins in the blood to objectively assess a person's nutritional status.
The B vitamins tested are B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine), B7 (biotin), B9 (folic acid), and B12 (cyanocobalamin).
The body absorbs B complex vitamins from food and uses them as needed, eliminating excess through urine. Because B vitamins are water-soluble, the body can store only small amounts, so take them regularly from foods rich in B vitamins or supplements.
Who should test for B complex vitamins?
Patients with symptoms, signs, and laboratory findings that indicate a deficiency in a B complex vitamin
- Nervous system disorders (hallucinations, numbness, irritability, dementia, amnesia)
- Disorders of the skin and mucous membranes
- Alopecia
- Anemia
- Increased Homocysteine
Patients at risk for B vitamin deficiency
- Gastrointestinal surgeries
- Celiac disease
- Inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis)
- Alcoholism
Vitamin B deficiencies can occur when:
- There is an insufficient supply of B vitamins in food
- There is a problem in the absorption of vitamins from the gastrointestinal tract
- There is an inability to use one or more of the vitamins
- Foods that inhibit the action of vitamins are consumed
- Deficiency of another vitamin or trace element prevents their use
- The need for vitamins is increasing
Deficiencies of B complex vitamins are more common in people with malnutrition and a lousy diet, in chronic alcoholism, in people with malabsorption or other digestive disorders, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel diseases, and the elderly. They are also sometimes seen in other chronic diseases, such as cancer and after cancer chemotherapy, in peculiar diets, and prolonged diarrhea. Pregnant women with poor nutrition are at increased risk for B complex vitamin deficiencies as well as their babies. Rarely, inherited metabolic diseases may prevent the use of specific B vitamins.
Symptoms of B complex vitamin deficiency may be characteristic in specific, severe deficiencies but may also be nonspecific, especially in mild to moderate cases. Because multiple B-complex vitamin deficiencies or other vitamin deficiencies often coexist, various symptoms may also occur. Common symptoms of B-complex vitamin deficiencies include skin rashes or dermatitis, tongue inflammation, numbness, tingling, or hallucinations in the hands or feet, anemia, fatigue, and mood disorders.
Toxicity from B complex vitamins is rare and usually occurs with excessive supplementation. High concentrations of specific B complex vitamins can affect the liver or nervous system.
