Forum Discussion

Tri's avatar
Tri
Member
3 months ago

Peripheral neuropathy, aches and vitamin supplements- caution about B6

Good morning I know a few of us have peripheral neuropathy and aches in our joints and may be taking magnesium and other vitamins to manage side effects.
Here’s an article of interest about checking your cumulative intake of B6 through any supplements.
If vitamin B6 consumption is inadvertently consumed above recommended levels it can be harmful - and to my surprise our bodies don’t excrete surplus amounts (apparently).
  • dobsonj's avatar
    dobsonj
    Member
    3 months ago
    Thank you guys I have just started supplementing with B, I have to with D everyday as per doctors orders.  Will double check with Bs next time I am with oncologist.

    thank you so much for sharing!! @arpie and @tri
  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    3 months ago
    Those of us who take vitamin B because it might help neuropathy (suggested by oncology nurse) find it all a bit confusing! I’m checking my supplements (for the umpteenth time) with my doctor but working on the basis that what hasn’t caused harm in over 11 years probably isn’t about to now! Always one thing or another! 
  • iserbrown's avatar
    iserbrown
    Member
    3 months ago
    Timely reminder for all!  We always say if you feel you need supplements,  vitamins or something else please check with your medical team........
  • Tri's avatar
    Tri
    Member
    3 months ago
    Thanks @arpie
    I am relieved you were thinking the same way… I hesitated a bit because I realise vitamins are of value when taken in the right dose and didn’t want to alarm people, especially as we are looking for relief from new aches or neuropathy. 
    Those links you posted will be super helpful to people who want to continue with their vitamins; I found them helpful to find out what I needed to check. 🌻
    By luck (rather than informed decision making 🙃) the magnesium tablets I have occasionally don’t have additive B6. 
    🌸🌻
  • arpie's avatar
    arpie
    Member
    3 months ago
    Well done, @Tri - I was just about to put that link up myself!!   

    The toxicity of excess amounts of Vit B6 can lead to permanent nerve damage, starting off with tingling in the feet & legs, then numbness  .... even being permanently crippled and possibly death (not sure if that would be from the toxicity or from a fall ....)  

    I was always told that the 'water soluble' vitamins (Vits B & C in particular) were excreted in your urine if it was taken in too large a dose!  That's now been proven WRONG!! 

    But You DO still have to be careful of the 'fat soluble' ones tho (A,D,E & K) as they ARE stored in the body if taken to excess!

    Here's Another ABC report here - where Doctors have even become affected by it, not realising the toxic nature of it! ....
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-08/vitamin-b6-toxicity-peripheral-neuropathy-health-supplements/104793006 ;

    Everyone should check the fine print of any Vit B6 & multi vitamin supplements (it is even in diet 'shakes' and magnesium tablets.)  As most people have accidentally taken the overdose - as Vit B6 is in SO MANY of the different supplements!

    Also there's been 2 discussions about it on ABC's 7.30 Report here:

    https://iview.abc.net.au/show/7-30/series/0/video/SEGS2025104797620

    https://iview.abc.net.au/show/7-30/series/0/video/NC2501H013S00