Urine Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

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Category: Vitamins and minerals.
Subcategory: Vitamins.
Material studied: Urine.
Estimated cost of test: $30.00 to $50.00.
Patient time for test: 24+ hours.
Reliability of test results: Good.
Available as home self-test? No.

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BEFORE THE TEST

Purpose of test:

• Helps confirm vitamin-B1 deficiency (beri-beri).
• Helps distinguish vitamin-B1 deficiency from other causes of polyneuritis.

Where is test performed?

• Commercial laboratory, hospital, doctor's office.

Who performs test?

• Lab technician, nurse, doctor.

Risks and precautions:

• None.

Patient preparation:

• Activity - No changes necessary.
• Diet - Your diet history is evaluated to see if you have a deficiency from inadequate intake.
• Medicines - No changes necessary.
• Disrobing - None required.

THE TEST

Sensory factors:

• Seeing - Urine color varies greatly, whether you're healthy or ill. Tell the technician, nurse or doctor if urine appears red, cloudy, smoky or has any other strange appearance or color.
• Smelling - Urine may have a noticeably abnormal odor if it is concentrated. Many drugs and foods affect the smell and other characteristics of urine. Report any unusual odors to the technician, nurse or doctor.
• Feeling - Collecting a urine specimen should not cause pain. If it does, notify the technician, nurse or doctor.
• Other senses (touch, hearing, taste) - Not affected.

Equipment used:

• Sterile urine container.

Description of test:

• Collect a 24-hour urine specimen.
• Refrigerate the specimen, or keep it on ice during the collection period.
• Take urine sample to laboratory for analysis.

AFTER THE TEST

Immediate post-test care:

• None.

Activity after test:

• If you are deficient in vitamin B1, eat beef, pork, organ meats, fresh vegetables (especially peas and beans) and wheat and other whole grains. They are excellent sources of this vitamin.
• Return to pretest activities right away.

Time before test results available:

• Test requires only a few minutes in the laboratory. Time before results are reported to the doctor or patient varies from a few minutes to a few days.

TEST RESULTS

Test values:

• Test results are determined by photometric chemical analysis.

Normal values:

• Urinary excretion ranges from 100 to 200mcg/24 hours.

What LOW or DECREASED may indicate:

• Poor diet.
• Hyperthyroidism.
• Alcoholism.
• Severe liver disease.
• Chronic diarrhea.
• Prolonged diuretic therapy.

Taking these drugs may affect test results:

• None expected.

Other factors that may affect test results:

• Failure to collect all urine during the test period.
• Failure to store the specimen properly.

From the Complete Guide to Medical Tests by H. Winter Griffith, M.D. © 1988 by Fisher Books; electronic rights by Medical Data Exchange.