The thiamine blood test is used to determine if an individual is suffering from a Vitamin B1 deficiency. It may also be ordered for patients who are determined to be at a high risk of suffering from a Vitamin B series deficiency for some reason.
Vitamin B1 is necessary because it is a co-enzyme. It helps the body produce energy through its involvement in glucose metabolism. It also helps the body metabolize alcohol and amino acids. In return, the body’s muscles, nervous system, and heart receive what they need to function properly.
Most people can receive the Vitamin B1 they need from a regular diet. Foods such as whole gains, seafood, pork, potatoes, and nuts are high in this vitamin. Certain health conditions, such as Celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, or inflammatory bowel conditions that lead to malabsorption issues may cause deficiencies even if a proper diet is being followed.
When to Speak with a Doctor About the Thiamine Blood Test
When there is a deficiency of thiamine, then bothersome signs and symptoms may develop. Individuals who have struggled with chronic alcoholism may experience enhanced symptoms. Common signs of a deficiency include the following: rash, an inflamed tongue, sores on the lips or in the mouth, cracked corners of the mouth, numbness in the extremities, fatigue, insomnia, irritability, and anemia.
Those who have certain food intolerances or allergies, such as to wheat, may wish to speak with their doctor about having proactive testing performed with a thiamine blood test to detect deficiencies right away. Those with Celiac disease will typically receive tests like these with their annual checkup.
Toxicity of thiamine rarely occurs, but can happen by consuming too many energy drinks or shots over the course of a day. Taking too many B Vitamin series supplements can also cause toxicity. High concentrations can affect the liver and nervous system, leading to muscle twitches, flushing, and shortness of breath.
What Do My Test Results Mean?
A thiamine blood test can determine if an individual is suffering from a vitamin deficiency or toxicity. What it cannot do is determine how someone may be deficient or experiencing higher than normal concentrations of Vitamin B1.
The normal range for thiamine is about 70-220 nmol/L. If testing occurs during a red blood cell transketolase measurement, then stimulation that is over 25% will also indicate that a deficiency in this vitamin is present.
For most individuals, taking a Vitamin B1 supplement or a B-Series Vitamin will help to restore normal levels in 3-4 weeks. If there is a health issue behind the deficiency, such as with Celiac disease, then the individual may need to take vitamin supplements to maintain healthy levels on a daily basis for the rest of their life.
Toxicity can often be resolved by pushing fluids so the body is encouraged to flush out excess vitamins. It may take 48-72 hours of pushing fluids to begin experiencing relief. A medical provider may also encourage individuals to avoid beverages or foods that are known to contain high levels of thiamine.
Here’s What You Need to Know
The thiamine blood test may not be ordered for every individual. If a medical provider believes that a deficiency is possible from an individual’s history and the symptoms of a deficiency are present, then a diagnosis could be made from this process. A treatment plan to deal with the deficiency would then be ordered, even without definitive confirmation of the diagnosis.
When a deficiency is present, the medical provider may prescribe B-Series vitamin supplements instead of a thiamine supplement. In this instance, the patient would be monitored for progress to see if the symptoms resolve.
In severe deficiencies or in instances when an individual’s body is not absorbing the vitamin for some reason, a medical provider may have the patient take Vitamin B shots in order to restore balance. These shots are usually administered in a hospital or formal office setting, but ongoing treatments can become a home treatment option.
The recommended daily intake of thiamine to maintain proper vitamin levels is 0.5mg per 1,000 kcal, which translates to about 1mg per day for women and up to 1.5mg per day for men. This is from recommendations that are issued by the US government.
The thiamine blood test can let doctors and patients know if there is a deficiency causing the bothersome signs and symptoms being felt. Use this guide to speak with your doctor about any concerns you may have about your health so that you can maximize your health today.