Thiamine

Vitamin B1 Blood test measures the Vitamin-B1 levels in the blood.

What is Vitamin B1?

Vitamin B1 is also known as thiamine, which is a form of B complex vitamin. It is a water-soluble vitamin and found in many foods such as beans, whole grains, nuts, peas, yeast, cereals, legumes, and meat etc. It is also available as dietary supplements. The body requires adequate levels of Vitamin B1 for energy production; brain and nervous system health. Therefore, it is advised to take adequate Vitamin B1 rich food or supplements on a regular basis.

Why this test is performed?

This test is performed to determine moderate to severe Vitamin B1 deficiencies. Deficiency of Vitamin B1 in the body may lead to a disease called Beriberi (vitamin B1 deficiency). In breastfed infants, this condition may occur if the mother’s body lacks thiamine. In children and adults, this condition mainly occurs due to the lack of intake of Vitamin B1 rich foods. Individuals who getting dialysis and who take water pills also are at risk of beriberi. Two types of beriberi disease are:

• Wet beriberi
• Dry beriberi.

Wet beriberi mainly affects the heart and may lead to heart failure. The symptoms are swollen lower legs, shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, poor sleep, and weakness etc. Dry beriberi damages the nerves and affects the muscles. The symptoms are body pain, mental confusion, tingling in the feet and hands, poor appetite, difficulty speaking, involuntary eye movement, weakness, and vomiting etc.

Wernicke encephalopathy and Korsakoff syndrome are the types of brain damage that occur due to the deficiency of Vitamin B1 in the body. This condition causes certain mental changes in the body. Symptoms are memory loss, confusion, hallucinations, visual problems like double vision, and involuntary eye movement.

This test is one among many tests in the Vitamin B profile. The doctor may ask you to perform this test to screen or detect moderate to severe Vitamin B1 deficiencies. You may also be advised to perform this test if you have a family history of Vitamin B1 deficiency diseases or if you experience any symptoms of Vitamin B1 deficiency diseases.

If you have a family history of Vitamin B1 deficiency diseases, your doctor may ask you to perform this test on a 6-monthly basis or a yearly basis. Individuals who are diagnosed with Vitamin B1 deficiency diseases should perform this test on a regular basis as instructed by the doctor.

If the test result falls in the normal reference range, you have adequate levels of Vitamin B1 and hence, no medical intervention is necessary. If the test result falls below the normal reference range, it may indicate moderate to severe Vitamin B1 deficiencies.

Deficiency of Vitamin B1 in the body may indicate presence or chance of disease conditions such as Beriberi, Wernicke encephalopathy, or Korsakoff syndrome. Poor nutrition intake or lack of nutrients (malnutrition), or lack of proper absorption of Vitamin B1 through small intestine due to Chrons disease (a disease condition of intestine) may also show low Vitamin B1 levels in the blood. Individuals with poor appetite and who consume alcohol also may show decreased Vitamin B1 blood levels. Low Vitamin B1 blood levels may also be seen in individuals who getting dialysis and who take water pills and/or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

If the test result shows high Vitamin B1 levels in the blood, it may indicate Vitamin B1 toxicity. This is not very common and may occur due to the intake of high doses of Vitamin B1 supplements.

If you have higher or lower than normal levels of Vitamin B1 levels in the blood, consult your doctor for further instructions. Based on the test results, your doctor may advise you proper medical treatments, lifestyle modifications, or further diagnostic tests.