What Causes High Vitamin B12 Levels & How to Manage It
By Dr. Vishesh Bharucha +2 more
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By Dr. Vishesh Bharucha +2 more
Table of Contents
Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that is found naturally in a variety of food sources1. Our body don’t “produce” B12 (except in gut flora, which humans cannot absorb), so we must obtain it from B12-rich foods, particularly animal-based products like meat, eggs, and dairy.
While much attention is given to B12 deficiency, known for causing fatigue, neurological changes, and anaemia, less is said about elevated B12 levels, which can be just as important to recognise2. While a high dietary intake of the vitamin rarely causes high vitamin B12, excess usually results from supplementation or injections. In many cases, this excess often signals underlying medical conditions such as liver disease, certain cancers, or blood disorders3.
Often, vitamin B12 high means your body is producing or releasing excess B12 due to a medical condition, rather than from diet alone. Understanding its potential causes and knowing how to evaluate and manage elevated B12 levels is key for both clinicians and patients. In this article, we explore what high B12 levels mean, when to investigate further, and how to approach management effectively.
Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is an essential water-soluble vitamin that plays a critical role in several bodily functions. It is essential for maintaining the central nervous system and helps produce healthy red blood cells, which are crucial for delivering oxygen throughout the body. Vitamin B12 also plays a key role in DNA synthesis, supports cell growth and repair, and contributes to energy metabolism. Limited evidence also suggests that B12 may support important brain functions such as memory, and may benefit heart health1,2.
When it comes to measuring vitamin B12 levels in the blood, normal values typically range from 160 to 950 picograms per millilitre (pg/mL) or 118 to 701 picomoles per litre (pmol/L)3.
It’s important to note that having vitamin B12 levels too high doesn’t usually cause symptoms on its own, but it can be a marker for other medical concerns that need attention. Further, reference ranges may vary slightly between laboratories, as different testing methods and units may be used. For this reason, it’s best to consult with your doctor to interpret your specific results and understand what vitamin B12 high means for your health.
A high level of vitamin B12 in the blood is also known as elevated serum B12 or hypercobalaminemia4. Many people wonder what happens if vitamin B12 is high. While it’s not always harmful, in some cases, it can indicate an underlying health condition, such as liver or kidney dysfunction, that warrants attention3,5.
Although vitamin B12 is water-soluble and excess amounts are typically excreted in the urine, the body still stores significant quantities (primarily in the liver) with its levels continuously regulated. However, this storage is not responsible for high vitamin B12 levels and such elevations are rarely due to excessive dietary intake4,5. Instead, very high serum levels often suggest impaired metabolism or an underlying medical condition.
Understanding the causes of high vitamin B12 can help doctors identify potential underlying health conditions. Several factors can lead to elevated B12 levels, including:
Certain groups are more likely to experience high vitamin B12 levels, including:
In many cases, high vitamin B12 levels do not cause noticeable high vitamin B12 symptoms. However, when symptoms occur, often due to the underlying condition rather than the elevated B12 itself, they may include12:
The symptoms of high vitamin B 12 are vague. So, if any individual notices these symptoms over a long period of time despite efforts to rectify them, they should consult their doctor and ask for measuring vitamin B 12 levels. As, if the vitamin B 12 levels are high, the causes for it are severe warranting management.
Dr. Nayana Shetty, MBBS, MD
If you’re experiencing unexplained discomfort, it’s important to check if you have any of the high vitamin B12 symptoms mentioned above, especially if you’re taking B12 supplements or injections. The main tests for checking B12 levels include:
If your vitamin B12 levels are too high on the serum vitamin B12 test, your doctor may recommend further testing.
Please note that the other tests mentioned do not directly measure vitamin B12 levels but instead help assess factors related to B12 deficiency or excess.
For the purpose of patient awareness, it is to be noted that vitamin B12 testing is not included in routine blood tests in India. It has to be added on if needed.
Dr. Nayana Shetty, MBBS, MD
In some cases, high vitamin B12 levels symptoms can include unusual symptoms like anxiety or a rapid heartbeat, which are more likely associated with the underlying condition, not the elevated B12 levels themselves. Some key health conditions associated with these symptoms include:
Note: High vitamin B12 levels symptoms are not always obvious, but some individuals may experience discomfort like dizziness or nausea. In these instances, elevated B12 may not be the root cause of illness but a biomarker that may signal a deeper health concern needing investigation.
Also Read: How To Manage Vitamin D Deficiency in Children
If you’re wondering, “What is the treatment for high vitamin B12?” it typically involves identifying and managing the underlying cause rather than reducing the vitamin levels directly. Here are some steps that may help manage high vitamin B12 symptoms:
In the pursuit of optimal health, fitness freaks may tend to overconsume oral supplements of vitamin B12. Thus, one must consult their registered doctor to screen for deficiency and start supplementation only after receiving advice from their doctor.
Dr. Nayana Shetty, MBBS, MD
Although rare, some people may experience side effects of high vitamin B12 levels such as headaches or skin reactions. You should consult a doctor if3,11:
A doctor can order additional tests to rule out serious conditions and help tailor treatment for high vitamin B12 levels specific to your health needs.
Also Read: How To Increase Platelet Count Naturally
Maintaining balanced vitamin B12 levels is essential for overall health and functions, such as supporting red blood cell production, nerve function, and energy metabolism. While vitamin B12 deficiency is common and well-understood, elevated B12 levels can occasionally occur. The side effects of high vitamin B12 can vary, but might be present. There is limited evidence that high vitamin B12 levels directly cause dizziness or fatigue. These symptoms are more likely linked to the underlying condition causing the elevated B12 levels, rather than the high B12 levels themselves17.
High B12 is not usually dangerous on its own, but may point to issues like liver disease, kidney dysfunction, or blood cancers. Managing high B12 starts with identifying the causes of high vitamin B12, not just reducing intake. Regular health checkups, laboratory tests, and professional guidance related to the treatment for high vitamin B12 are key to maintaining a healthy balance and ensuring the early detection of any hidden conditions.
Also Read: Top Vitamin B12 Foods to Include in Your Diet Today!
There is limited evidence on how high B12 levels impact pregnancy, however, elevated levels could be related to underlying health issues, so it’s important to discuss with a doctor if you’re pregnant18.
Certain medications can interfere with vitamin B12 absorption or metabolism, potentially leading to abnormal B12 levels in the blood, especially in cases where the body does not absorb or utilise B12 properly. While elevated B12 levels are generally not a direct result of medication, certain drugs can affect B12 status2.
While high B12 levels can indicate underlying health issues, they may also occur due to over-supplementation or vitamin injections, which don’t always signify a medical problem5.
High vitamin B12 levels are often seen as less concerning because they usually don’t cause symptoms and are typically the sign of an underlying condition, not a direct health risk2,5. Doctors usually focus on treating the root cause rather than the elevated B12 itself.
There is limited evidence regarding the relationship between high vitamin B12 levels and blood sugar regulation. High B12 levels do not typically cause changes in blood sugar. However, certain underlying conditions, such as diabetes, may be associated with both elevated B12 levels and changes in blood sugar. Any potential impact on blood sugar is likely secondary to the underlying condition rather than a direct effect of high B1219.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
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