Vitamin B1

The Vitamin B1 test is used to gauge the levels of Vitamin B1 or Thiamine in your body. 

Vitamin B1 facilitates the proper functioning of all our body tissues. The human body requires this vitamin to make Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). ATP further breaks down food molecules to release chemical energy and power body processes. Thiamine also protects nerves, prevents heart diseases, prevents Alzheimer's disease, promotes digestion, etc. 

Hence, a lack of vitamin B1 can cause significant harm to your body and overall well being. In fact, here are certain symptoms that you might show in case you have a thiamine deficiency:

• Fatigue
• Change in heart rate 
• Nausea and vomiting
• Irritability 
• Reduced reflexes 
• Blurry vision
• Muscle weakness 
• Delirium 
• Shortness of breath 
• Seizures 
• Mood changes, etc.  

If you exhibit these symptoms, you must consult a doctor and get a Thiamine test done. A delay in starting treatment against this deficiency will only worsen your symptoms. 

Our modern food production system has dramatically reduced our Thiamine intake due to excessive food refinement. From storage to finally cooking the meal, the vitamin B1 levels reduce with every step, causing the deficiency. 

So, taking a Vitamin B1 test will help you gauge thiamine levels in your bloodstream and catch thiamine deficiency ailments such as Beriberi well in advance. Additionally, certain factors can further increase deficiency risks. They are as follows:

• Crohn’s disease 
• Alcoholism 
• Anorexia 
• Malnutrition
• Malabsorption
• Long-term diuretic therapy
• dieting 
• Renal dialysis 
• Old age, etc. 

If any of these factors are currently prevalent in your life, then getting a Vitamin B1 test is a must. A deficiency can show up as minor symptoms initially, such as weight loss, poor sleep, vomiting, irritability, confusion, etc.Newborns fed by Thiamine deficient mothers might also develop symptoms like cyanosis, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

But this can get worse down the line and cause peripheral neuropathy (dry Beriberi), congestive heart failure (wet Beriberi), and Wernicke encephalopathy. For newborns, a moderate level of thiamine deficiency can affect their intellectual performance and overall wellbeing.

To help avoid this, consume vitamin B1-rich foods such as:

• Sunflower seeds 
• Green beans 
• Pork 
• Fish 
• Yoghurt 
• Thiamine-fortified cereals 
• Thiamine enriched rice
• Yeast 
• Legumes
• Brown rice
• Trout
• Eggs
• Nuts and seeds

The Vitamin B1 Test cost is usually around INR 4,000. The Vitamin B1 Test package includes a single test. If you are symptomatic, get a Vitamin B1 Test at Apollo 24/7.

Medically reviewed by Dr.Ravi Kiran Barigala, Internal Medicine from apollo Hospitals Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad.