I also have B6 and D deficiencies.

B6 deficiency is rare in the US because it can be found in so many foods. It is typically related to malnutrition, alcohol intake or malabsorption.

Vitamin B6 is unique in that either a deficiency or excess of B6 can cause neuropathy:

Pyridoxine Deficiency - emedicine

The Dana Guide

With an idiopathic deficiency, it is important to take the doses necessary to bring the levels up to normal ranges; and to monitor closely that the serum level doesn't exceed normal ranges. I started at 100 mg daily, but was still below normal ranges (2.9 with normal being 5 - 10), so was increased to 200 mg daily. I have not yet had follow-up blood test at this level. I have not noticed any decrease in the burning, but have had a noticible improvement in the brain fog that is also a symptom of B6 deficiency.

You might need P5P ...the activated kind. Maybe you are not converting B6 (found in typical supplements) to the P5P for the body!

This is the one I use:
http://www.iherb.com/Now-Foods-P-5-P...blets/740?at=0

P5P is the one included in the combo RX product for neuropathy called Metanx. I've used this active form for over 10 yrs now!

There is a condition called pyroluria. This is an inherited defect in the manufacture of heme in the liver. Basically it is not a "disease" in itself, but the defective by product kryptopyrrole, complexes B6 and zinc out of the body. This is tested using a urine specimen, sent to special labs. (most conventional doctors are not trained in this at all...but in Europe it is pretty well known).
Low B6 serum levels result, as well as low zinc.
Here is an article about that:
http://www.drkaslow.com/html/pyroluria.html

jccgf a member here (and longtime friend of mine) had her daughter tested for this and it came back positive. Supplements fixed her-- she went to a DAN doctor (Defeat Autism Now) who also did this treatment in addition to his other autism patients. jccgf is very helpful, don't hesitate to PM her if you need to!

Thanks !

That is not the form of B6 I've been taking. I'll get some ordered to see if that makes a difference in the amount I need.

The info on pyroluria is really interesting. I googled several different sites as well, and was amazed to see how many of the conditions run in my family. My mother is bi-polar. I have an autistic cousin. A nephew and 2nd cousin who are both deaf with ADHD.

I will PM jccgf to get her advice. I would like that before I ask my doc to run the kryptopyrrole test. There are several websites that offer the test. I wonder if they might be even better than asking my doc?

And, I noticed that the websites that discussed the pyroluria were generally naturopaths. I was able to see one a couple of years ago when I was going to Phoenix on business. When business stopped taking me there, I had to stop. There are none in my immedite area. The closest is 90-miles away. But, I wonder if it might be worth the 90-mile trip.

All questions for jccgf.

The kryptopyrrole test doesn't require a doctor to order it. You can do it yourself. Make sure you get a quality place. I believe there are two of them recommended.

Also the doctor supervision comes in with the high zinc dosing that you need for this condition. The B6 (P5P less so). High dose zinc makes copper go down, and also manganese some. So the doctor needs to run zinc/copper ratios every so many months to make sure you are not low in copper. (low copper can lead to PN). Both the B6 and zinc are over the counter and not expensive. jccgf will tell you more.

Hi Bob
Thanks for this but LizaJanes web page isnt working, I cant open it.
Arlene

......LizaJanes web page isn't working,

Yeah, I tried too.
Site must be down.
I'll PM her & let her know.
Happens occasionally.
Should be up un a day or so. Try again later.

The Liza Jane site is now up, & fixed.
http://www.lizajane.org/

I've noticed that a lot of those energy drinks have way more B6 than is recommened! It's not that hard to get too much B6. If you take a multiple vitamin and a b-complex, you're already pushing it, aren't you?

Mine is from chemo (cisplatin). Hope to get some good info here.

Welcome to our PN forum at NeuroTalk!

We've had several people with chemo induced PN:

Here is one thread with a link to a paper on a supplement that may help. It is best to take it with the the chemo, but it may help later as well:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ighlight=chemo

If you search "chemo" at the index page for this forum in the upper right above the post list there are other posts too.

Basically chemo drugs damage the mitochondria in cells. These little organelles, are responsible for energy production for the cell. Other supplements that show potential for protecting and aiding the mitochondria are:

Biotin
CoQ-10
lipoic acid
and
acetyl carnitine.