Vitamin B1 - blood
Last updated: Tuesday, 30, March, 2004
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| Item | Process |
|---|---|
| Specimen | 2 mL blood in lithium heparin tube. Sample must be collected prior to vitamin therapy. |
| Method | Assay of red cell thiamin pyrophosphate by HPLC. Indirect: spectrophotometric assay of red cell transketolase with and without added thiamin pyrophosphate. |
| Reference Interval | Consult pathologist. |
| Application | Rarely indicated for the detection of vitamin B1 deficiency. Testing may be indicated in suspected alcoholic or nutritional cardiomyopathy or neuropathy and in Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. |
| Interpretation | While low levels are found identification of subclinical deficiency is unreliable. Assessment of the clinical response to thiamin may be an appropriate approach to the diagnosis of vitamin B1 deficiency. |
| Reference | Finglas PM. Int J Vit Nutr Res 1993; 63: 270-274. |