Test ID: B6PRO
Vitamin B6 Profile (PLP and PA), Plasma
Secondary ID
A test code used for billing and in test definitions created prior to November 2011
NY State Approved
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.
Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Determining the overall success of a vitamin B6 supplementation program
Diagnosis and evaluation of hypophosphatasia
Profile Information
A profile is a group of laboratory tests that are ordered and performed together under a single Mayo Test ID. Profile information lists the test performed, inclusive of the test fee, when a profile is ordered and includes reporting names and individual availability.
| 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
A short description of the method used to perform the test
Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Reporting Name
A shorter/abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test; an abbreviated test name
Aliases
Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching
Pyridoxal Phosphate
Soft- B6PRO
Vitamin B6
Pyridoxal 5-Phosphate (PALP)
Specimen Type
Describes the specimen type needed for testing
Specimen Required
Defines the optimal specimen. This field describes the type of specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing. The volume allows automated processing, fastest throughput and, when indicated, repeat or reflex testing.
Collection Container/Tube: Green top (heparin)
Submission Container/Tube: Amber vial (Supply T192)
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Fasting-overnight (12-14 hour) (infants-draw prior to next feeding).
2. Patient must not ingest vitamin supplements for 24 hours before the specimen is drawn.
3. Centrifuge at 4 degrees C, then aliquot all plasma into amber vial to protect from light.
Specimen Minimum Volume
Defines the amount of specimen required to perform an assay once, including instrument and container dead space. Submitting the minimum specimen volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory or perform reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum specimen volume may result in a QNS (quantity not sufficient) result, requiring a second specimen to be collected.
Reject Due To
Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected
| Hemolysis | Mild OK; Gross OK |
| Lipemia | Mild OK; Gross OK |
| Icterus | Mild OK; Gross OK |
| Other | Plasma gel tube |
Specimen Stability Information
Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the laboratory. Alternate acceptable temperature(s) are also included.
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Plasma Heparin | Refrigerated (preferred) | 7 days |
| Frozen | 14 days |
Clinical Information
Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
Vitamin B6 is a complex of 6 vitamers: pyridoxal, pyridoxol, pyridoxamine, and their 5'-phosphate esters. Due to its role as a cofactor in a number of enzymatic reactions, pyridoxal 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 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 (PA) are observed in cases of hypophosphatasia, a disorder characterized by low levels of alkaline phosphatase and a range of skeletal abnormalities.
Reference Values
Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.
PYRIDOXAL 5-PHOSPHATE
5-50 mcg/L
PYRIDOXIC ACID
3-30 mcg/L
Interpretation
Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
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 upon PLP and PA results:
-If PLP is >100 mcg/L and PA is < or =30:
-The increased pyridoxal 5-phosphate is suggestive of hypophosphatasia. Consider analysis of serum alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes (ALKI/89503 Alkaline Phosphatase, Total and Isoenzymes, Serum) and urinary phosphoethanolamine (AAPD/60475 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 < or =30 mcg/L:
-The increased pyridoxal 5-phosphate is likely related to dietary supplementation; however a mild expression of hypophosphatasia cannot be excluded. Consider analysis of serum alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes (ALKI/89503 Alkaline Phosphatase, Total and Isoenzymes, Serum) and urinary phosphoethanolamine (AAPD/60475 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; or PLP is >100 mcg/L and PA is >100 mcg/L:
-The elevated pyridoxal 5-phosphate is likely due to dietary supplementation.
Cautions
Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
Reference ranges were established using healthy fasting volunteers who abstained from vitamin supplementation for 24 hour prior to draw. Vitamin supplementation and nonfasting may result in elevated plasma vitamin concentrations.
Clinical Reference
Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature
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
2. Ball GFM: Vitamins: Their Role in the Human Body. Oxford, UK, Blackwell Publishing, 2004, pp 310-325
3. Mackey AD, Davis SR, Gregory JF III: Vitamin B6. In Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. 10th edition. Edited by ME Shils, M Shike, AC Ross, et al. Philadelphia, PA, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2006, pp 452-461
Method Description
Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference
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 HPLC with quantitation by tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).(Unpublished Mayo method)
Day(s) and Time(s) Test Performed
Outlines the days and times the test is performed. This field reflects the day and time the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time required before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means assays are performed several times during the day.
Two times per week; Days vary
Maximum Laboratory Time
Defines the maximum time from specimen receipt at Mayo Medical Laboratories until the release of the test result
Specimen Retention Time
Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded
Performing Laboratory Location
The location of the laboratory that performs the test
CPT Code Information
Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Medical Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.
83789-Quantitative, each specimen
84207-Pyridoxal phosphate (vitamin B6)
LOINC® Code Information
Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the result codes returned for this test or profile.
| Result ID | Reporting Name | LOINC Code |
|---|---|---|
| 61065 | Pyridoxic Acid (PA), P | 1688-1 |
| 4047 | Pyridoxal 5-Phosphate (PLP), P | 30552-4 |


