PPP 198 - Pins, Needles, and Too Much Vitamin B6 with Angus Thompson

PPP 198 - Pins, Needles, and Too Much Vitamin B6 with Angus Thompson

Kristin Xenos

In this episode we celebrate our ten‑year podcast anniversary with guest Angus Thompson, a consulting clinical pharmacist and clinical editor who works across Southern Tasmania. We open with a quick roll call of the B‑group vitamins to set the scene before shifting into the main focus of the conversation: how Vitamin B6 became a ubiquitous ingredient in sleep products, menopause supplements, energy blends, magnesium powders and everyday multivitamins.

Angus explains why B6 deficiency is relatively uncommon, why it still appears in so many products, and how recommended daily intakes are exceeded in many supplements. We discuss what B6 is actually indicated for, the most common forms found in supplements, and why assumptions about “water‑soluble vitamins being harmless” have not held up in practice. The heart of the episode looks at B6 toxicity and its link to peripheral neuropathy, what symptoms clinicians should look for, how it’s diagnosed, potential for long term harm, and why many patients don’t realise their supplements could be contributing.

We also talk through the TGA’s strengthened safety controls announced in November 2025 and whether recent media coverage has helped or confused the public conversation. 

Further information can be found here:


PPP 197 - The Point of Injection with Anna Theophilos

PPP 197 - The Point of Injection with Anna Theophilos