Vitamin B1, Thiamine Test

Thiamine also known as Vitamin B1, is classified as a B-complex vitamin. Thiamine is naturally present in some foods, added to some food products and available as a dietary supplement. This vitamin plays a critical role in energy metabolism and, therefore, in the growth, development, and function of cells. Vitamin B1 is among the nutrients most prone to destruction by our modern food production system. At each step along the way, from storage through refining up through cooking, we lose a big portion of the vitamin B1 content of foods. Vitamin B1 acts as the gatekeeper between the less efficient step of early carbohydrate breakdown and the very energy-rich Krebs cycle.

No special preparation is needed for Thiamine. Inform your doctor if you are on any medications or have any underlying medical conditions or allergies before undergoing Thiamine. Your doctor depending on your condition will give specific instructions. You must do 12-14 hours of fasting before the test as it can affect test results. Symptoms of Thiamine is Rash, dermatitis, Inflamed tongue, Numbness, Fatigue and Insomnia.

Test results that are low may indicate a B vitamin deficiency but don't show the reason behind it whether it is due to an inadequate supply or an inability to absorb or use available B vitamins. When someone is deficient, the person often has multiple vitamin deficiencies. If test results are normal, then it is more likely that a person's symptoms are due to another cause. High vitamin B level may be associated with vitamin toxicity. This rarely occurs and when it does, it is usually due to exposure to high doses of the vitamin. Vitamin B1 is effective usually for Metabolic Disorders, Brain disorders, Cataracts, Kidney disease and Painful Menstruation. People take thiamine for conditions related to low levels of thiamine (thiamine deficiency syndromes), including beriberi and inflammation of the nerves (neuritis) associated with pellagra or pregnancy. Thiamine is also used for digestive problems including poor appetite, ulcerative colitis, and ongoing diarrhea.

● A blood sample is obtained by inserting a needle into a vein in the arm
● Take 3 mL (2 mL min.) Whole blood / Plasma from 1 Lavender Top (EDTA) tube
● You can also prefer 2 mL (1 mL min.) serum from one Red Top tube
● Transfer whole blood to plastic transport vial and freeze immediately.
● Separate plasma/serum within 4 hours of collection and freeze and ship frozen