Vitamin B1

Vitamin B1 (thiamine) test – is a blood test designed to assess the level of thiamine – a water-soluble B vitamin, responsible for carbohydrate metabolism, nervous system functioning, muscle function, and energy production in the body. Vitamin B1 is also important for normal growth, fertility, and lactation.

Thiamine is essential for the transmission of nerve impulses, so its deficiency primarily manifests as nervous system damage. A deficiency in this vitamin can lead to the development of beriberi disease, whose symptoms may include weakness in the lower extremities, coordination disorders, peripheral nerve inflammation, memory decline, irritability, headaches, digestive disorders, loss of appetite, and in rare cases – heart function disorders.

Vitamin B1 reserves in the body are quickly depleted with increased carbohydrate or alcohol consumption, as well as due to physical exhaustion and chronic liver or intestinal diseases that impair absorption.

Test principle: Thiamine concentration is determined from venous blood (serum or erythrocytes), usually using spectrophotometric or HPLC methods. Results are presented in nmol/l or µg/l units.

Recommendations:

• Recommended for fatigue, irritability, memory deterioration, muscle weakness, or coordination problems.
• Useful for assessing nutritional status or suspecting vitamin deficiency, especially in patients consuming high amounts of carbohydrates or alcohol.
• Prescribed for patients suffering from chronic intestinal, liver, pancreatic diseases or those who have fasted for a long time.
• Suitable for suspecting beriberi or Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
• For the test, it is recommended to come fasting, and avoid taking supplements with vitamin B1 for at least 8 hours before the test.