Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

Vitamin B1 is also known as thiamine. It is essential in energy production as thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP). It is very important for carbohydrate metabolism and is involved in many metabolic functions. It is necessary for the synthesis of RNA and fat. It is involved in nerve transmission in the peripheral nervous system and the brain. It is a strong antioxidant and increases the ability of vitamins E and B6 to destroy free radicals, or oxidants. It is found in brewer's yeast, peas, pork, wheat germ, macaroni, peanuts, whole grains, beans and liver.

A deficiency of thiamine may result in loss of appetite, fatigue, depression, constipation, confusion, poor coordination, and nervous degeneration. The classical deficiency disease is Beri-Beri. Alcoholics often show a B1 deficiency. The RDA for thiamine is 1.2 mg. A supplemental level is 2 to 100 mg. There is no toxic dose listed for thiamine.

Specimen is 2.0 mL of washed heparinized RBCs. Collect the sample in a heparin tube. Centrifuge the tube, then wash the RBCs one time with normal saline. Protect from light and ship in amber plastic tube.

Doctors who wish to order kits, please call our lab directly to set up an account before ordering. 316-684-7784

• Gerrits J, Eidhof JW, Brunnekreeft WI, Hessels J: Determination of thiamin and thiamin phosphates in whole blood by reversed phase liquid chromatography with precolumn derivatization: Methods in enzymology, 1997. 279:74-82.
• Smith MD: Rapid method for determination of riboflavin in urine by high performance liquid chromatography. J of Chrom, 1980; 182:285-291.
• Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry, 3rd Ed, 1999, Saunders Co.
• McCormick, DB.: Coenzymes, Biochemistry Of. In Encylopedia of Molecular, Molecular biology and molecular medicine. R.A. Meyers, Ed., New York, 1996. PP 390-406