I did not know about the pins and needles...

How high is to high? I thought that once your body had obsorbed what it needed the rest was eliminated. Am I mistaken? When I developed PN back in May my B12 was 879 I think...it was in the high 800s. Since that time I have been taking 5mgs methyl a day. Do I need to back off the B12?

--that very high levels of B12 can cause true nerve parastheses (pins and needles), though often the energizing effect of sudden large influxes of B12 can seem that way.

There have been cases of peopel reacting to additive in B12 supplements, though. In my case, it was sorbitol. One has to be careful of what the B12 is combined with. (Once I figured it out and stopped taking a sorbitol-containing brand, the effects dissipated.)

Now large doses of B6 (pyridoxine) taken over a period of time, that can have neurtoxic effects in some susceptible people:

http://neuromuscular.wustl.edu/nothe...yridoxineintox

I currently take 1000mcg (1 mg) methylcobalamin each day, primarily as a nerve protectant, considering my idiopathic acute onset full-body burning neuropathy history, and my current cervical spine radiculopathy. My last B12test was 1864 (and I'm probably due for another one, but I imagine it would be somewhere around there again).

As far as I know, B12 has no known toxicity level, Unlike other B-vitamins, there is a substantial bodily ability to store extra, primarily in the liver, though after a certain point excess will be excreted. But there have been some studies, particularly in Japan, in which subjects were given up to 36,000mcg (36mg)/day without ill effects.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I know that my B12 level was around 450 in June 2007 and I had another test earlier this year (can't remember which month) and the result showed 1200. I read somewhere that liver problems can sometimes be the cause of high B12 levels. I guess the only way to tell is to stop B12 supplements for a few months and get tested again...

If you've been taking 1000-2000mcg B12, daily, the last test scores of 1200 are about right-what would be expected with B12 supplementation.
450 is a bit low. Bottom line is now about 600. Anything under that is suspect for deficiency, and possible cause..... of PN.

My last B-12 level test showed me having a B-12 level of 2000. And my doctor's office didn't seem to think that was too high because no one called me up on that.

Ever since I began the Methyl B-12, I have had virtually no burning, no pins and needles, NOTHING.

I would not stop my B-12 for ANYTHING!!!

melody

High levels of B-6 can cause pins and needles as described which is neuropathy. B-12 has no known toxic level or sides that I've been able to find.

Its my understanding that it takes a long while for the B12 levels to come down after stopping a B12 suppliment.
The liver stores B12 for quite a while.
What is not regularly used is excreted thru the urine, similar to excess Vit C dosages.
My doc has to note to the lab, that I take a B12 suppliment, or my tests come back as a 'flag' that my levels are 'abnormally' high.
As a matter of fact, my levels, while taking B12 suppliment-
are between 1200 & 1500. Not excessively high, but higher than 'normal'.

a while ago a post from a lab tech...who claimed that the instruments that test B12 cannot read above 2000.

If that is true, then, a reading of 2000 may not be accurate.
It may in truth be higher.

I really must say, I would NOT discontinue B12 just because of a reading of 1100 (when you know you are taking supplements).

A high reading without supplements may indicate some disease state, and that is all that upper range is good for IMO.
There has never been any reports of B12 toxicity (except for the rare cyano folks who cannot process the cyanide portion of the synthetic version).

And who is it, Rose? That has the B-12 site? States that people with PN should have higher levels of B-12...cause for many of us what's a normal healthy level is higher than what is considered "normal values" for people without PN.

Mrs D can you tell me what type of disease could be a sign of high b12 numbers if not on supplements for that and ones diet does not contain huge amount of animal products?Or is that unknown or hard to say?
Random on tlc they have medical mysteries there was a lady who was ill for 10 years and no one ever tested her for b12. Her life had stopped from the nerve issues she was having. Finally she saw a doc on tv who dx her with b12and anemia I think. Even if she had taken the oral it would not absorb so she needed injections. With in a few weeks she felt like a new person. She will always have some lack of balance from the years of being without.