Is very high B12 serious?

Abstract. Elevated levels of serum cobalamin may be a sign of a serious, even life-threatening, disease. Hematologic disorders like chronic myelogeneous leukemia, promyelocytic leukemia, polycythemia vera and also the hypereosinophilic syndrome can result in elevated levels of cobalamin.


What would cause B12 to be extremely high?

Conditions that can increase B12 level include: Liver disease (such as cirrhosis or hepatitis) Myeloproliferative disorders (for example, polycythemia vera and chronic myelogenous leukemia)

What happens if vitamin B12 too high?

High doses of vitamin B-12, such as those used to treat a deficiency, might cause: Headache. Nausea and vomiting. Diarrhea.


What level of B12 is concerning?

Understanding the Results

But a normal level of vitamin B12 in your bloodstream is generally between 190 and 950 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL). Between 200 to 300 pg/mL is considered borderline and your doctor may do more testing. Below 200 pg/mL is low and more testing is needed.

What cancers cause high B12?

Other studies focusing on specific cancers have shown a strong association between elevated B12 levels and liver cancers (OR 3.3 [95%CI: 1.1–10.4] for hepatocellular carcinomas and OR 4.7 [95%CI: 1.2–17.9] for other liver cancers) [16], a moderate association with prostate cancer (OR 1.1 [95%CI: 1.0–1.2]) [17], and no ...


What Does A High B12 Level Mean?



How do you get rid of excess B12?

Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, and the risks of dose-related side effects are low. Your body can usually get rid of excess vitamin B12 through your urine. In rare cases, high doses of vitamin B12 injections have been associated with skin reactions.

Should I be worried about high B12 levels?

There is no upper limit for vitamin B-12 intake because consuming high levels does not cause problems. However, having naturally high levels of vitamin B-12 in the body may be a cause for concern, as it suggests a severe underlying condition.

Does high B12 mean liver damage?

Vitamin B12 is stored primarily in the liver, and highly elevated serum vitamin B12 levels occur in acute hepatitis and severe alcoholic liver disease.


What autoimmune diseases cause high B12 levels?

Significantly Elevated Vitamin B12 Levels in Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome (ALPS), a Rare Lymphoproliferative Disorder with Apoptosis Defect | Blood | American Society of Hematology.

Does high B12 mean cirrhosis?

Introduction: Elevated serum vitamin B12 level is frequently seen in cirrhosis due to excess release and/or reduced clearance, and thus has been proposed as a marker to differentiate cryptogenic cirrhosis from non-cirrhotic portal hypertension.

Is B12 life threatening?

Pernicious anemia, a deficiency in the production of red blood cells due to a lack of vitamin B12, can cause permanent neurological damage that can lead to death if it is untreated.


What is severely low B12?

Pernicious anemia, a deficiency in the production of red blood cells due to a lack of vitamin B12, can cause permanent neurological damage that can lead to death if it is untreated.

What level is considered low B12?

A serum B12 above 300 pg/mL is interpreted as normal. Patients with B12 levels between 200 and 300 pg/mL are considered borderline, and further enzymatic testing may be helpful in diagnosis. Patients with B12 levels below 200 pg/mL are considered deficient.

What autoimmune diseases cause high B12 levels?

Significantly Elevated Vitamin B12 Levels in Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome (ALPS), a Rare Lymphoproliferative Disorder with Apoptosis Defect | Blood | American Society of Hematology.


How much is too much B12?

Though doses of up to 2,000 mcg of vitamin B12 are considered safe, it's best to speak with a doctor to find out whether taking a supplement is necessary. Most people can fulfill their B12 needs through a nutrient-rich diet.

Can stress cause high B12 levels?

Stress is known to deplete our levels of B vitamins, especially vitamin B12. Vegetarians, vegans and those on restricted diets can struggle to get enough vitamin B12 to meet their body's needs.

What does high vitamin B12 mean?

High levels of vitamin B-12 can be a sign of liver disease, certain types of leukemia, or diabetes. Vitamin B-12 deficiency is a common condition. Between 1.5 and 15 percent of Americans have low levels of vitamin B-12, according to the National Institutes of Health .


How can I lower my B12 levels naturally?

Research has suggested that the consumption of alcohol may reduce vitamin B12 levels. An older study indicated that moderate alcohol intake diminished vitamin B12 by 5% among “healthy, well-nourished, postmenopausal women.”

Can too much B12 cause tingling?

In rare cases, people who take high doses of vitamin B for a long period of time may experience extreme numbness or a tingling sensation. In some patients, tingling sensation is experienced mostly in the right side of the body. This symptom is one of the early warning indicators of Vitamin B12 overdose.

Can vitamin B12 cause heart problems?

Macrocytosis associated with vitamin B12 deficiency is also associated with fatal and non-fatal coronary disease, myocardial infarction, stroke, and other circulatory health problems.


Can B12 cause neuropathy?

B12 deficiency may cause demyelination of nerves in the peripheral and central nervous system13 and has been associated with peripheral neuropathy, loss of sensation in peripheral nerves, and weakness in lower extremities in older adults1, 1416.

What are the symptoms of vitamin B toxicity?

An overdose of Vitamin B complex usually occurs from the excessive consumption of supplements, The complications that one notices in case of an overdose are skin rashes, insomnia, gastrointestinal problem, Tingling and numbness, Extreme mood swings, and abnormal blood pressure levels.

Should I be concerned about high B12?

Is taking high doses of B12 helpful or harmful? Since B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, it's generally considered safe, even at high doses. No Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) has been established for B12, due to its low level of toxicity.


Does high B12 mean liver damage?

Vitamin B12 is stored primarily in the liver, and highly elevated serum vitamin B12 levels occur in acute hepatitis and severe alcoholic liver disease.

What is normal level of vitamin B12 in elderly?

A serum vitamin B12 level between 200 pg/mL and 900 pg/mL is considered normal, but a threshold of 300 to 350 pg/mL is recognized as a marker for a desirable status in the elderly. The laboratory diagnosis is usually based on low serum vitamin B12 levels or elevated serum methylmalonic acid and homocysteine levels.