Hypothesis and case reports: possible thiamin deficiency

Three family members are reported with functional symptoms considered to be caused by intracellular deficiency of thiamin. Persistence of desaturation of erythrocyte transketolase in the face of megadose thiamin hydrochloride (THCl), accompanied by a balanced multivitamin and mineral formula, suggested a familial thiamin dependency state. Each of three individuals responded clinically to the administration of thiamin tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide (TTFD), and erythrocyte transketolase (TKA) became fully saturated with thiamin pyrophosphate (TPP). Dysautonomic symptoms observed are compared with those seen in classical beriberi, the nutritional prototype for dysautonomia, and changes in blood pressure are described which support this premise. Although there is no proof from the laboratory, it is hypothesized that the biochemical lesion might be due either to malabsorption of thiamin or its inadequate phosphorylation.