Peripheral neuropathy and anemia are symptom of deficiency of which vitamin?

Peripheral neuropathy and anemia are symptom of deficiency of which vitamin?

• A. Vitamin B6
• B. Vitamin B12
• C. Vitamin B2
• D. Vitamin B3

Answer: (A)

This question centers on how a vitamin supports both nerve function and red blood cell production. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) acts as a crucial cofactor for several processes that link these two areas. In red blood cell formation, it enables the enzyme ALA synthase, the first step in heme synthesis. When B6 is deficient, heme production falters, iron can’t be properly incorporated into heme, and you often see a sideroblastic, microcytic anemia. B6 is also essential for the synthesis of several neurotransmitters (like GABA, serotonin, and dopamine) and for myelin maintenance. A deficiency can therefore produce peripheral neuropathy, with tingling, numbness, or other nerve-related symptoms. Other vitamins tend to show different dominant features. For example, riboflavin deficiency mainly causes mucocutaneous and ocular symptoms; niacin deficiency leads to pellagra (dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia); and B12 deficiency causes neuropathy along with anemia that is typically macrocytic rather than the microcytic pattern often seen with B6 deficiency. The combination of neuropathy with anemia most fittingly points to insufficient B6.

This question centers on how a vitamin supports both nerve function and red blood cell production. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) acts as a crucial cofactor for several processes that link these two areas. In red blood cell formation, it enables the enzyme ALA synthase, the first step in heme synthesis. When B6 is deficient, heme production falters, iron can’t be properly incorporated into heme, and you often see a sideroblastic, microcytic anemia.

B6 is also essential for the synthesis of several neurotransmitters (like GABA, serotonin, and dopamine) and for myelin maintenance. A deficiency can therefore produce peripheral neuropathy, with tingling, numbness, or other nerve-related symptoms.

Other vitamins tend to show different dominant features. For example, riboflavin deficiency mainly causes mucocutaneous and ocular symptoms; niacin deficiency leads to pellagra (dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia); and B12 deficiency causes neuropathy along with anemia that is typically macrocytic rather than the microcytic pattern often seen with B6 deficiency. The combination of neuropathy with anemia most fittingly points to insufficient B6.