VITAMIN B1 (THIAMINE PYROPHOSPHATE), BLOOD

VITAMIN B1 (THIAMINE) IS AN ESSENTIAL VITAMIN REQUIRED FOR CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM. IT IS CONVERTED IN THE INTESTINE TO THIAMINE PYROPHOSPHATE (TPP) WHICH IS THE ACTIVE FORM OF VITAMIN B1. THE HIGH RISK FACTORS FOR THIAMINE DEFICIENCY INCLUDE OLD AGE, LONG TERM PARENTERAL NUTRITION, HEMODIALYSIS, MALABSORPTION OR ALCOHOL ABUSE. SEVERE DEFICIENCY CAUSES CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE (WET BERIBERI), PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY (DRY BERIBERI), WERNICKE ENCEPHALOPATHY (A MEDICAL EMERGENCY THAT CAN PROGRESS TO COMA AND DEATH), AND KORSAKOFF SYNDROME (OFTEN IRREVERSIBLE MEMORY LOSS AND DEMENTIA THAT CAN FOLLOW).