Vitamin B6 deficiency diagnosis:
Vitamin B6 deficiency is usually considered in alcoholics, people suffering from protein-energy malnutrition and infants suffering from seizures.
Researchers point out that in the United States there are four main groups susceptible to or suffering from vitamin B6 deficiency:
African-American men
People over 65 years of age
Women in reproductive age and especially those who had used oral contraceptives
Male smokers
In order to verify if a person suffers from vitamin B6 deficiency doctors perform a test requiring the extraction of red blood cells. The cells are placed in two test tubes to which special chemicals are added. The chemicals are to allow for measuring the level of aminotransferase enzyme. As this enzyme requires pyridoxal phosphate it is also added to the tube so as to stimulate some activity. If there is no activity it is assumed that the patient does not suffer from vitamin B6 deficiency.
See also: Vitamin B6 overview, Vitamin B6 deficiency description, Vitamin B6 deficiency causes and symptoms, Vitamin B6 deficiency treatment, Vitamin B6 deficiency prevention