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HelpTest ID B6PRO Vitamin B6 Profile (Pyridoxal 5-Phosphate and Pyridoxic Acid), Plasma
Useful For
Determining vitamin B6 status, including in persons who present with progressive nerve compression disorders, such as carpal tunnel and tarsal tunnel syndromes
Determining the overall success of a vitamin B6 supplementation program
Diagnosis and evaluation of hypophosphatasia
Profile Information
| Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLP | Pyridoxal 5-Phosphate (PLP), P | Yes | Yes |
| B6PA | Pyridoxic Acid (PA), P | No | Yes |
Method Name
Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Reporting Name
Vitamin B6 Profile (PLP and PA), PSpecimen Type
Plasma HeparinShipping Instructions
Ship specimen in amber vial to protect from light.
Specimen Required
Patient Preparation:
1. Patient should fast overnight (12-14 hours); infants-should have specimen collected before next feeding. Water can be taken as needed.
2. For 24 hours before specimen collection, patient must not take multivitamins or vitamin supplements.
Supplies: Amber Frosted Tube, 5 mL (T915)
Collection Container/Tube: Green top (sodium or lithium heparin) or plasma gel separator (PST)
Submission Container/Tube: Amber vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Centrifuge at 4° C within 2 hours of collection.
2. Aliquot all plasma into amber vial and freeze immediately.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.75 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plasma Heparin | Frozen | 29 days | LIGHT PROTECTED |
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | OK |
| Gross lipemia | OK |
| Gross icterus | OK |
Clinical Information
Vitamin B6 is a complex of 6 vitamers: pyridoxal, pyridoxol, pyridoxamine, and their 5'-phosphate esters. Due to its role as a cofactor in many enzymatic reactions, pyridoxal 5-phosphate (PLP) has been determined to be the biologically active form of vitamin B6.
Vitamin B6 deficiency is a potential cause of burning mouth syndrome and a possible potentiating factor for carpal tunnel and tarsal tunnel syndromes. Persons who present with chronic, progressive nerve compression disorders may be deficient in vitamin B6 and should be evaluated. Vitamin B6 deficiency is associated with symptoms of scaling of the skin, severe gingivitis, irritability, weakness, depression, dizziness, peripheral neuropathy, and seizures. In the pediatric population, deficiencies have been characterized by diarrhea, anemia, and seizures.
Markedly elevated PLP in conjunction with low levels of pyridoxic acid are observed in cases of hypophosphatasia, a disorder characterized by low levels of alkaline phosphatase and a range of skeletal abnormalities.
Reference Values
PYRIDOXAL 5-PHOSPHATE
5-50 mcg/L
PYRIDOXIC ACID
3-30 mcg/L
Interpretation
Levels for fasting individuals falling in the range of 3 to 30 mcg/L for pyridoxic acid (PA) and 5 to 50 mcg/L for pyridoxal 5-phosphate (PLP) are indicative of adequate nutrition.
The following are interpretative guidelines based on PLP and PA results:
If PLP is >100 mcg/L and PA is ≤30 mcg/L:
-The increased PLP is suggestive of hypophosphatasia. Consider analysis of serum alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes (ALKI / Alkaline Phosphatase, Total and Isoenzymes, Serum) and urinary phosphoethanolamine (AAPD / Amino Acids, Quantitative, Random, Urine)
If PLP is >100 mcg/L and PA is 31 to 100 mcg/L or PLP is 81 to 100 mcg/L and PA is ≤30 mcg/L:
-The increased PLP is likely related to dietary supplementation; however, a mild expression of hypophosphatasia cannot be excluded. Consider analysis of serum alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes (ALKI / Alkaline Phosphatase, Total and Isoenzymes, Serum) and urinary phosphoethanolamine (AAPD / Amino Acids, Quantitative, Random, Urine).
If PLP is 51 to 80 mcg/L or PLP is 81 to 100 mcg/L and PA is >30 mcg/L or PLP is >100 mcg/L and PA is >100 mcg/L:
-The elevated PLP is likely due to dietary supplementation.
Clinical Reference
1. Kimura M, Kanehira K, Yokoi K. Highly sensitive and simple liquid chromatographic determination in plasma of B6 vitamins, especially pyridoxal 5'-phosphate. J Chromatogr A. 1996;722(1-2):296-301. doi:10.1016/0021-9673(95)00354-1
2. Ball GFM, ed: Vitamins: Their Role in the Human Body. Blackwell Publishing; 2004:310-325
3. Mackey AD, Davis SR, Gregory JF III: Vitamin B6. In: Shils ME, Shike M, Ross AC, et al. eds. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. 10th ed. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2006:452-461
4. Roberts NB. Taylor A. Sodi R: Vitamins and trace elements. In: Rifai N, Horvath AR, Wittwer CT, eds. Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. 6th ed. Elsevier; 2018:639-718
Method Description
The stable isotope pyridoxal 5-phosphate-d2 and/or pyridoxic acid-d2 is added to plasma as an internal standard. Meta-phosphoric acid solution is then added to precipitate the proteins. Following sedimentation of the proteins, an aliquot of the clarified supernatant fluid is subjected to separation of pyridoxal 5-phosphate, pyridoxic acid, and internal standards from other plasma components by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with quantitation by tandem mass spectrometry.(Unpublished Mayo method)
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Thursday, Saturday, Sunday
Test Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
82542
84207
NY State Approved
YesReport Available
3 to 7 daysCautions
Reference ranges were established using healthy fasting volunteers who abstained from vitamin supplementation for 24 hours prior to specimen collection. Vitamin supplementation and nonfasting may result in elevated plasma vitamin concentrations.