What happens when your B12 levels are too high?

However, supplementing with excessively high levels of B12 has been linked to some negative side effects. Several studies have shown that megadoses of the vitamin can lead to outbreaks of acne and rosacea, a skin condition that causes redness and pus-filled bumps on the face.


Should I be worried if my B12 is high?

Excess B12 is either stored in the liver, present in the blood without any adverse effects, or excreted. There are no studies investigating the potential clinical effects of high B12 because, in general, there are no known adverse effects caused by elevated B12.

What can too high B12 cause?

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


What conditions cause high B12 levels?

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


How do you feel if your B12 is too high?

In some people, high levels of B12 may cause gastrointestinal problems such as bloating and diarrhea. And if you have high blood pressure or poor cardiovascular health, having too much B12 may further complicate these issues. Pregnant and breastfeeding women may also need to be especially mindful of B12 levels.


What Does A High B12 Level Mean?



How do you get rid of too much B12 in your body?

Vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin. That means your body tends to get rid of excess amounts of it through your urine.

How do they treat high B12 levels?

For people with high levels of B-12, treatment involves adjusting your diet. This may mean eating less animal products like meats, dairy, and seafood.

What cancers are high in 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 ...


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 foods to avoid if B12 is high?

Reduce the amount of animal-derived foods that appear in your diet, as they contain vitamin B12. These include meat, poultry, dairy and shellfish.

Does high B12 mean diabetes?

Reportedly, patients with diabetes have higher serum vitamin B12 levels than those with normal glycemic control, and fructosamine levels are significantly correlated with serum vitamin B12 levels in patients with DM,8 which suggests that serum vitamin B12 levels may be associated with glycemic control in T2DM.


How long does it take to flush out B12?

Unlike most other vitamins, B12 is stored in substantial amounts, mainly in the liver, until it is needed by the body. If a person stops consuming the vitamin, the body's stores of this vitamin usually take about 3 to 5 years to exhaust.

Does your body flush out extra B12?

The body will typically excrete excess vitamin B-12 that a person gets from the diet or via supplements. The body does not absorb vitamin B-12 supplements very effectively. This means that even if a person takes very high amounts of vitamin B-12, their body still does not absorb a significant amount.

Why is my vitamin B12 over 2000?

Medical conditions that can increase levels of vitamin B12 include liver disease, kidney failure and a group of blood cancers known as myeloproliferative disorders, which includes myelocytic leukemia and a condition that causes an overgrowth of red blood cells called polycythemia vera.


What causes high B12 in elderly?

Elevated cobalamin levels often accompany diseases such as leukemia, myeloproliferative disorders, hypereosinophilic syndrome, and metastatic cancer—especially when involving the liver.

Does B12 raise A1c?

Anaemia is a condition that results in a lack of red blood cells or haemoglobin. If someone with diabetes uses metformin, there are at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency. If they have a vitamin B12 deficiency, then their Hb A1c readings may be falsely elevated.

Can vitamin B12 affect blood pressure?

We found that a higher intake of vitamin B12 was associated with lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure and a higher intake of folic acid was associated with lower systolic blood pressure in children.


Can you take vitamin B12 with high blood pressure medication?

No interactions were found between lisinopril and Vitamin B12.

Does B12 lower cholesterol?

Another important vitamin in managing your cholesterol is B12. Not only has research shown that taking vitamin B12 daily can lower cholesterol naturally, but it can also provide additional cardiovascular health benefits, such as reducing the risk of developing atherosclerosis (hardening and narrowing of the arteries).

Does B12 give you energy?

So does vitamin B12 give you energy? While B12 doesn't directly provide energy, it does give the body the tools it needs to convert food molecules into energy. Getting the recommended daily amount of B12 can therefore help ensure that the body is able to make the energy it needs to do everything you need it to do.


Can B12 affect blood sugar?

With B12 supplementation homocysteine level can be reduced . Type 2 diabetes as a metabolic syndrome may show improvement in glycaemic control with Vitamin B12 therapy as there is correction of hyperhomocysteinemia.

Why is my A1C suddenly high?

A1C levels can fluctuate because of vitamin deficiencies, supplements, stress, lack of sleep, and more. If you've lived with type 2 diabetes for a while, you might be a pro at managing your blood sugar levels.

What can throw off your A1C?

A1C tests can be affected by changes in red blood cells or hemoglobin. Conditions that change the life span of red blood cells, such as recent blood loss, sickle cell disease link, erythropoietin treatment, hemodialysis, or transfusion, can change A1C levels.


What autoimmune diseases cause high B12?

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

Is it possible to have high B12 levels and still be deficient?

Elevated serum B12 levels may also be associated with a functional deficiency of the vitamin. Functional deficiency has been described despite high B12 concentrations and is due to a failure of cellular uptake or intracellular processing, trafficking or utilization.