What could be the reason for my high vitamin B12 level?

Question

Hello doctor,

Today I did my B12 and D3 tests, and my B12 levels are very high. Any particular reason?

Kindly help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your question.

Let me tell you the possible causes for very high vitamin B12 levels. In most cases, it is not a health risk, but we should investigate the reason for the increase.

The most common explanations are supplementation and injections. Since the body absorbs only a certain amount of vitamin B12 from pills and the rest is excreted in the urine, people often have higher levels of vitamin B12 from vitamin B12 pills and vitamin B12 injections. Many have high levels of vitamin B12 if they received an injection recently or are taking high-dose vitamin B12 supplements.

The other concerns are releasing vitamin B12 from storage or the processing of vitamin B12 from the blood, caused by some health conditions. Some liver and kidney disorders, certain blood disorders, and very rarely, some cancers can be a concern.

Because vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, very high levels in the blood are usually not a concern. If you are taking injections or high-dose vitamin B12 supplements, there is usually no concern. If you are not, your doctor should investigate other possible reasons.

Please share if you are on any oral vitamin B12 supplements, multivitamins, or vitamin B12 injections.

I hope this answers your question. Please ask if you have any other questions on this.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Thanks for providing additional information.

A vitamin B12 level of 823 pg/mL is within the normal range or a little bit higher. The normal range usually goes up to 900 pg/mL. It can be different depending on the laboratory that does the test.

Since you have been taking vitamin B complex intermittently and you eat non-vegetarian food, it is very likely that the elevation is simply from supplement intake and dietary sources. This is the most common and harmless reason for mildly high vitamin B12.

Other causes (liver or kidney issues, blood disorders, or some types of cancer) are usually considered if you are not taking supplements and have very high levels or other unusual lab results.

In your case, your level is likely due to the supplements and food you eat. It does not need treatment.

I suggest you stop or reduce high-dose supplements (only if your doctor agrees) and retest after a few months.

I hope that this helps you.

Thank you.