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Vitamin B6 Profile Pyridoxal-5′-Phosphate, Pyridoxal, Pyridoxine, Pyridoxic Acid)
€ 35,00
Evaluates vitamin B6 levels, vital for neurotransmitter production, mood stability, and immune health.
Your test at a glance
- Sample
- Blood
- Results from receipt
- Usually 3–10 days
- Fasting
- For adults, a 12-hour overnight fast is recommended; plain water only. Follow any different instructions from WHL.
Timing starts when suitable samples arrive at the laboratory. Shipping time is additional. Combined panels may take longer.
Preparation: Pause non-prescribed nutritional supplements for at least 48 hours, unless WHL or your clinician advises otherwise.
WHL will send the full test instructions with your kit or appointment confirmation. Follow these before collecting.
Preparation and important notesOne charge per request. Processing and handling is charged once for the complete request, not for each test or panel. Collection and delivery charges are shown separately at checkout.
Description
Overview
Vitamin B6 refers to a group of chemically related compounds (vitamers) that play essential roles in metabolism, neurotransmitter synthesis, amino acid reactions, and immune function. The most biologically active and clinically informative form is pyridoxal-5′-phosphate (P5P). The other major vitamers include pyridoxal, pyridoxine, and pyridoxic acid (the primary catabolic product).
What This Test Measures
This profile quantitatively assesses multiple vitamin B6 vitamers in serum or whole blood to provide a comprehensive picture of your vitamin B6 status:
- Pyridoxal-5′-phosphate (P5P) — the metabolically active coenzyme form, critical for over 100 enzyme reactions including amino acid metabolism and neurotransmitter production.
- Pyridoxal — a precursor to P5P and an indicator of overall B6 pool.
- Pyridoxine — the form most commonly found in dietary sources and supplements; converted in the body to P5P.
- Pyridoxic Acid — the principal excretion product of vitamin B6 metabolism, useful to assess turnover and catabolism.
Measuring this panel gives greater clinical insight than a single total B6 value, because it distinguishes between active coenzyme levels, precursor availability, and metabolic clearance.
Clinical Use
This comprehensive profile is useful for:
- Evaluating vitamin B6 status and identifying deficiency or excess.
- Monitoring supplementation response and metabolic utilization.
- Investigating symptoms that may be influenced by B6 status, such as neurological complaints, mood disorders, or elevated homocysteine.
- Assessing folate/B6 interactions in one-carbon metabolism and homocysteine regulation.
High levels of vitamin B6 vitamers, particularly pyridoxal-5′-phosphate, should be interpreted in context as very high intake over time can be associated with neurotoxicity.
Method
Quantification is performed using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS), a highly specific and sensitive analytical technique suited to separate and accurately measure each vitamer.
Sample Requirement
- Serum
Suitable for postal submission.
Additional information
| Weight | 0,5 kg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 25 × 16 × 2,5 cm |
| Sample Type |
Preparing for this test
WHL will send detailed collection, storage and return instructions with your test kit or appointment confirmation. Those test-specific instructions take priority.
Sample: Blood
Fasting: For adults, a 12-hour overnight fast is recommended; plain water only. Follow any different instructions from WHL.
For nutritional testing, pause non-prescribed supplements, including protein and amino-acid powders, for at least 48 hours unless WHL or your clinician advises otherwise. If monitoring supplements, agree the timing with your practitioner.
Do not stop prescribed medicines or prescribed supplements without advice from your treating clinician. Tell WHL about high-dose biotin; some tests need a longer pause. A short supplement pause does not remove all effects of long-term use.
If another test in the same order requires fasting, follow the combined instructions. Ask your clinician or WHL before fasting if you have diabetes, use glucose-lowering medicine, are pregnant, or are arranging testing for a child.
When to expect your results
Usually 3–10 days. This estimate starts when suitable samples reach the laboratory, not on the order or collection date. Shipping is additional. WHL will confirm any test-specific exception; a combined panel follows its slowest component.
Practical preparation tips
If fasting is requested, drink only plain water in your usual amounts. Do not have coffee, tea, juice, milk, energy drinks, sweets or chewing gum. Avoid smoking or vaping that morning. Book an early appointment and eat after collection.
For a planned blood test, avoid alcohol and unusually strenuous exercise for 24 hours, where practical, and sit quietly for about 15 minutes before collection. Tell WHL if you could not follow the preparation instructions.
Do not extend fasting or change prescribed medication on your own. Ask your clinician first if you have diabetes, need medicine with food, are pregnant, or are arranging testing for a child. WHL’s full test-specific instructions take priority.
Sources for this general preparation guidance
- Mayo Clinic Laboratories — plasma amino acids
- Mayo Clinic Laboratories — vitamin B6
- Mayo Clinic Laboratories — B12 and folate
- Mayo Clinic Laboratories — vitamins A and E
- Mayo Clinic Laboratories — iron studies
- NHS — fasting blood tests
- EAS/EFLM — fasting and non-fasting lipids
- EFLM/COLABIOCLI — preparation for blood collection
Other laboratories’ methods and preparation rules can differ. These sources support the general advice; WHL confirms the instructions for the method used for your test.
