{"id":7969,"date":"2018-12-07T14:00:19","date_gmt":"2018-12-07T22:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.everywomanover29.com\/blog\/?p=7969"},"modified":"2025-09-11T13:41:59","modified_gmt":"2025-09-11T20:41:59","slug":"the-role-of-low-serotonin-low-vitamin-b6-and-low-iron-in-anxiety-and-panic-attacks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.everywomanover29.com\/blog\/the-role-of-low-serotonin-low-vitamin-b6-and-low-iron-in-anxiety-and-panic-attacks\/","title":{"rendered":"The role of low serotonin, low vitamin B6 and low iron in anxiety and panic attacks"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Low serotonin can cause anxiety and panic attacks. Because vitamin B6 and iron are required raw materials for making serotonin, we know that low levels of these two nutrients often contribute to anxiety and panic attacks.<\/p>\n

We have some pretty recent research supporting all this: Low serum concentrations of vitamin B6 and iron are related to panic attack and hyperventilation attack<\/a><\/p>\n

Reduced serotonin level is known as one of the causes of panic attacks and hyperventilation attacks \u2026.<\/p>\n

In the serotonin synthesis system of the brain, vitamin B6 is a coenzyme for tryptophan hydroxylase, which is involved in the conversion of tryptophan into 5-hydroxytryptophan and iron serves as a cofactor for aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase involved in the formation of serotonin from 5-hydroxytryptophan. Therefore, a reduction in vitamin B6 and iron levels can suppress the progression of the serotonin synthesis.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The study authors measured serum levels of vitamins B2, B6, and B12 and iron in 21 premenopausal women who had been admitted to the emergency room with panic attacks.<\/p>\n

The results were compared with lab values from 20 volunteers, also premenopausal women, and this is what they reported:<\/p>\n

We found that both vitamin B6 and iron levels were significantly lower in the panic attack\/hyperventilation attack group than in the volunteer group. There was no significant difference in the serum levels of vitamins B2 or B12.<\/p>\n

These results suggest that low serum concentrations of vitamin B6 and iron are involved in panic attacks and hyperventilation attacks.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This certainly confirms what I see with my clients. When I\u2019m working with someone with anxiety, we always assess for low serotonin, low iron and low vitamin B6 levels, and when we address low levels we almost always see improvements \u2013 both in the reduction of anxiety and panic attacks. We\u2019ll often see a mood boost too, sleep improvements and a reduction in carb cravings.<\/p>\n

Here are some additional factors to consider:<\/p>\n