Vitamin B6 deficiency
Linked to Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
Low B6 can cause anaemia, skin changes and nerve or mood symptoms.
Where it shows on the body
Rotate the figure and click a red marker to see the affected area. Internal organs open a 3D organ model.
Causes
- Poor diet
- Alcohol dependence
- Some medications
- Malabsorption
Symptoms
- Cracked lips and sore tongue
- Skin rash
- Low mood and confusion
- Tingling in hands and feet
- Weak immunity
What happens if untreated
- Anaemia
- Nerve damage if prolonged
Who is most at risk
- Heavy drinkers
- Older adults
- People on certain medicines
Prevention & sources
- Poultry, fish, potatoes, chickpeas and fortified cereals
Correcting it: foods, amounts & timing
Foods that help & safe amounts
- Poultry, fish, potatoes, chickpeas and fortified cereals
- Around 1.3–1.7 mg/day; avoid long-term high-dose supplements (they can damage nerves)
Skin, mood and nerve symptoms improve over a few weeks.
Sources & references
Symptoms overlap — testing matters
Most deficiency symptoms (fatigue, poor concentration, skin and hair changes) are shared across several nutrients and many unrelated conditions. A symptom on this page is a reason to investigate, not a diagnosis.
A GP can confirm or rule out a deficiency with a blood test and check for underlying causes such as absorption problems. Do not start high-dose supplements on suspicion alone — some nutrients are harmful in excess, and supplementing before testing can mask the underlying result.