Vitamin B1 (synonyms: aneurine, thiamine) is a vital dietary component of the vitamin B complex. If it is not supplied to the body, deficiency symptoms (hypo-/avitaminosis) result. Vitamin B1 is water-soluble and is inactivated primarily by oxygen, but also by heat. It cannot be stored and absorption beyond the requirement is not possible. Vitamin B1 is absorbed in the human body in the small intestine. It is found mainly in cereals, legumes, liver and in meat and yeast. The main function of vitamin B1 is as a coenzyme in carbohydrate metabolism as well as in other metabolic processes. The following symptoms may occur with a vitamin B1 deficiency:
- Anemia (anemia)
- Anorexia nervosa (anorexia)
- Atony – muscular flaccidity
- Depression
- Weight loss
- Cardiac involvement such as tachycardia (pulse too fast) or heart failure (cardiac insufficiency)
- Laryngeal edema – accumulation of water in the area of the larynx.
- Lack of concentration
- Paralysis, especially appearing on the legs
- Meningitis (meningitis)
- Fatigue
- Paresthesias (sensory disturbances)
- Pericardial effusion – accumulation of water in the pericardium.
- Pleural effusion – accumulation of water in the gap between the lung and pleura.
- Nausea / vomiting
- Confusion
Especially in Asia occurs the disease beriberi, which includes the above symptoms. It is caused by the predominant diet of husked rice, because the vitamin B1 is in the husk.
The procedure
Material needed
- EDTA blood
Preparation of the patient
- Not necessary
Disruptive factors
- None known
Standard values
| Value in ng/ml | Value in nmol/l | |
| Normal range | 20-100 | 75-375 |
Indications
- Suspected vitamin B1 deficiency in neurological disorders (e.g., due toV. a. Korsakow syndrome (alcohol abuse), Landry-Paralayse, Wernicke encephalopathy).
Interpretation
Interpretation of increased values
- Leukemia (blood cancer)
- Hodgkin’s disease – form of malignant diseases originating from the lymphatic system.
- Polycythaemia vera – pathological multiplication of blood cells (particularly affected are: especially erythrocytes / red blood cells, to a lesser extent also platelets (blood platelets) and leukocytes / white blood cells); stinging itch after contact with water (aquagenic pruritus).
- Vitamin B1 overdose due to parenteral substitution (administered via vein); this may result in overdose symptoms with the following:
- Allergic reaction (an i. v. injection may cause anaphylactic shock).
- Cephalgia (headache)
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Muscle weakness
Interpretation of lowered values
- Alimentary (nutritional)
- Malabsorption (disorder of absorption)
- Chronic inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
- Short bowel syndrome – malabsorption after extensive small bowel resection – partial removal of the small bowel.
- Infection with lamblia (small intestinal parasites).
- Celiac disease (gluten-induced enteropathy; chronic disease of the mucosa of the small intestine (small intestinal mucosa), which is based on hypersensitivity to the grain protein gluten).
- Maldigestion (disorder of digestion).
- Bile acid deficiency
- Lipase deficiency – deficiency of fat-splitting enzymes.
- Pancreatic insufficiency – inability of the pancreas to produce sufficient digestive enzymes.
- Diseases
- Chronic dialysis
- Diabetic acidosis
- Severe acute liver dysfunction
- Genetic defects of thiamine metabolism.
- Drugs
- Antacids inhibit the absorption of thiamine
- Increased demand
- Heavy physical work
- Pregnancy/breastfeeding
- Fever states
- Dialysis patients
Further notes
- The normal requirement for vitamin B1 is 1.0 mg/d for women and 1.2 mg/d for men.
- The therapeutic requirement for manifest vitamin B1 deficiency is 20-30 mg/d.
Attention. Note on the state of supply (National Consumption Study II 2008) 21% of men and 32% of women do not reach the recommended daily intake. In women, the proportion of undersupplied increases from 25% at age 14-18 years to 40% at age 65-80 years.
