Trying to reach mrsD. I have been diagnosed with elevated B12 and I have no idea what this means, trouble is my doctor doesn't either and I'm not comfortable with the "wait and see" approach. At the same time I can't really be upset with him, because all my other tests are normal.

CBC-normal
Calcium
Folate
C-reactive protein
CMP
Liver Panel
Sed Rate
VDRL

All normal. So why is my B12-1300 on a 870 scale?

Please if anyone has thoughts, similar experience or input, please help! What kind of doctor should I follow up with?

This question comes up now and then.

The "range" is only an average made statistically years ago by selecting people who seem healthy and taking readings. So there are going to be people who are at the top end of that range.

That is why the low end is so low too.

1300 is not that high.

There are rare conditions that may elevate B12.
Some people with kidney disease cannot excrete it, so it reads higher than average.

Some Liver disease.
Some bacterial dysbiosis in the colon. (bacteria synthesize B12)
This link gives some of the less common and alarming causes:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science...2&searchtype=a

Some foods and flours are fortified now... and B12 might be in them. Some breakfast cereals as well. B12 is in multivitamins.
Some liquid foods like SlimFast, Boost and Ensure have B12 in them. Some nutrition bars, etc. People with intact and well functioning intrinsic factor would absorb the small amounts in fortified foods easily.

There are no real studies showing any negative effects from high B12. Other than being a marker for some uncommon disease, it is considered benign. Therefore there is no upper limit set for this vitamin intake.

Also it is possible the lab is in error. Sometimes they do not calibrate their instruments properly. An example of this was a year long error at Quest regarding Vit D3. So don't assume this result is 100% accurate.
http://philadelphia.injuryboard.com/...oogleid=254834

Hi, MrsD,
Thank you so much for the response. Unfortunately, I got a repeat test (from the same doctor and lab) and it was 60 points higher in just one week. I'm very disconcerted because I'm trying to get pregnant and don't want any other problems. I'll be going to the hematologist and endocrinologist just to make sure everything is on the up and up. My liver and kidney functions are apparently just fine, so I just want to rule out the other scary stuff.

In the mean time I've stopped the crazy prenatal vitamin with 8x the amount of B12. Also was receiving B12 injection from my dermatologist, which helped with my acne and hair loss. Hopefully that will bring it down to normal.

Thanks again!!!!

Just to let you know, my B12 level runs close to 1800 all the time and if it gets lower, my neuropathy symptoms kick in.

In the mean time I've stopped the crazy prenatal vitamin with 8x the amount of B12. Also was receiving B12 injection from my dermatologist, which helped with my acne and hair loss. Hopefully that will bring it down to normal.

--might certainly explain a B12 result in that range, especially if you absorb normally; how often were you getting those injections?

A lot of us who megadose B12 for various neurologic reasons are used to much higher readings than that (my last one was 1864--I do take a lot of B12, though)--and to having to explain this to not-so-savvy doctors.

I believe your higher levels will be an asset to your future child.

They will also help you make more red cells, during the pregnancy which puts a huge load on the new mother. Anemia is very common then.

There are infants today born with B12 deficiency and are very ill and don't develop.

Your prenatal has folic acid in it too, to prevent spina bifida, which is a crippling defect in the spinal cord.

Your high result could be from that prenatal. I would not stop it.
http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitaminb12/
http://pediatrics.aappublications.or...tract/99/2/255

B12 deficiency in infants can be due to severe animal protein restriction in vegans, or in mothers with undiagnosed pernicious anemia.

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Hi I'm just wondering did you ever find out what was wrong? Did your doctor order you any additional tests?

Thanks

This couldn't be more timely. A very good friend of mine with bad GERD, who has been taking Prilosec for many years just called me. Not too long ago she started taking B12 due to fatigue and it made her feel better. Her gastro doc recently took some bloodwork and told her that her b12 was too high. He wanted her to stop taking it, but she argued and he said she can take a tablet twice a week. It's been a few weeks and she is again, experiencing fatigue.

Can your blood levels seem normal by medical standards, yet it isn't enough to function well or it isn't being absorbed properly? She seemed so fatigued and is starting to get "down." I emailed her and asked to send me her b12 test results numbers.

I told her that her doctor would hate me as I take a LOT of b12 and even with several autoimmune illnesses and frequent pain, my fatigue levels are decent....I doubt I would be willing to reduce my intake.

What is going on? I'm concerned for her.