Vitamin B1
Vitaminas y mineralesÚltima revisión: 7 de abril de 2026. Enfoque de fuentes: contexto estándar de interpretación de laboratorio, material médico de referencia y orientación clínica o de salud pública cuando corresponde.
¿Qué es Vitamin B1?
Vitamin B1, also known as thiamine, is a water-soluble vitamin that serves as an essential coenzyme in carbohydrate metabolism, energy production, and neural function. Thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP), the biologically active form, is required by key enzymes in the citric acid cycle and the pentose phosphate pathway—metabolic processes that generate ATP (cellular energy) and provide building blocks for DNA and RNA synthesis. The body stores only small amounts of thiamine (approximately 25–30 mg total), with the highest concentrations found in skeletal muscle, heart, liver, kidneys, and brain.
Because thiamine cannot be synthesized by the body and has a relatively short half-life of 9–18 days, regular dietary intake is essential. Rich dietary sources include whole grains, pork, legumes, nuts, and fortified cereals. Thiamine levels in blood are typically measured as whole blood thiamine or erythrocyte transketolase activity, which reflects functional thiamine status. Thiamine deficiency, while relatively uncommon in developed nations due to food fortification, remains a significant clinical concern in chronic alcohol use disorder, bariatric surgery patients, and populations relying heavily on polished rice.
Por qué importa
Thiamine is indispensable for converting food into usable energy. Deficiency causes two classic syndromes: beriberi (affecting the cardiovascular and peripheral nervous systems) and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (a potentially fatal neurological emergency most commonly seen in chronic alcoholism). Wet beriberi causes heart failure with edema, while dry beriberi causes peripheral neuropathy and muscle wasting. Wernicke encephalopathy—characterized by confusion, ataxia, and eye movement abnormalities—is a medical emergency that requires immediate intravenous thiamine. Early detection and treatment of thiamine deficiency can prevent permanent brain damage.
Rangos de referencia normales
| Grupo | Rango | Unidad |
|---|---|---|
| Adults (whole blood thiamine diphosphate) | 70–180 | nmol/L |
Los rangos de referencia pueden variar entre laboratorios. Compara siempre tus resultados con los rangos proporcionados por tu laboratorio.
Qué significan los niveles altos de Thiamine
Causas comunes
- High-dose thiamine supplementation
- Excessive fortified food intake
- Rare—water-soluble vitamin readily excreted by kidneys
Posibles síntomas
- Generally no adverse effects—excess is excreted in urine
- Very rare reports of allergic reactions with parenteral administration
Qué hacer: High thiamine levels are generally not a clinical concern, as excess thiamine is efficiently excreted by the kidneys. No known toxicity has been established for oral thiamine, even at very high doses. Reduce supplementation if levels are significantly above normal, but no specific treatment is typically needed.
Qué significan los niveles bajos de Thiamine
Causas comunes
- Chronic alcohol use (impairs absorption and increases excretion)
- Malnutrition or restricted diets
- Bariatric surgery or GI surgery
- Prolonged vomiting (hyperemesis gravidarum)
- Chronic diarrhea or malabsorption
- High-dose diuretic use (increases urinary losses)
- Refeeding syndrome in malnourished patients
- Diets high in polished (white) rice
Posibles síntomas
- Fatigue, irritability, and poor concentration
- Peripheral neuropathy (tingling, numbness in extremities)
- Muscle weakness and wasting
- Rapid heart rate and edema (wet beriberi)
- Confusion, ataxia, and eye abnormalities (Wernicke encephalopathy)
- Memory loss and confabulation (Korsakoff syndrome)
- Anorexia and weight loss
Qué hacer: Mild deficiency is treated with oral thiamine supplementation, typically 50–100 mg daily. Suspected Wernicke encephalopathy is a medical emergency requiring immediate high-dose intravenous thiamine (200–500 mg three times daily) before glucose administration—giving glucose without thiamine can precipitate or worsen the condition. Address underlying causes such as alcohol cessation, improved nutrition, and treatment of malabsorption. Hospitalized patients at risk should receive prophylactic thiamine.
¿Cuándo se recomienda la prueba de Thiamine?
- In patients with chronic alcohol use disorder
- Before and after bariatric surgery
- When neurological symptoms of unknown cause are present
- In cases of unexplained heart failure or peripheral neuropathy
- In malnourished or critically ill patients
- When prolonged vomiting or malabsorption is present
Preguntas frecuentes
Biomarcadores relacionados
Referencias y enfoque de revisión
Las páginas del glosario de biomarcadores son explicaciones educativas y deben interpretarse junto con los rangos de referencia y comentarios proporcionados por tu laboratorio y tu profesional de salud. Para conocer nuestros estándares editoriales y proceso de revisión, consulta nuestra Política editorial y nuestro Proceso de revisión de contenido.
¿Quieres analizar tus niveles de Thiamine?
Sube tus resultados de laboratorio para recibir un análisis instantáneo con IA de todos tus biomarcadores.
Subir resultados de laboratorio →Aviso médico: Esta información es solo educativa y no sustituye el consejo, diagnóstico ni tratamiento médico profesional. Los rangos de referencia pueden variar entre laboratorios. Consulta siempre a tu profesional sanitario para interpretar tus resultados concretos.