B12 level is 795

[sdee1234]

I am 57 year old male. I am recently having pain near the lateral side of left triceps and 2 kgs of weight loss in last 2 months. The triceps pain started earlier but it worsened in the last 2 months. Doctor gave B complex twice daily and prescribed several tests. Cardiac tests (echo and EKG) are normal, chest X ray normal, left hand X ray detected cervical spondylosis. Now I also did several blood test-CBC, thyroid, lipid profile, blood sugar, creatinine, potassium, sodium. Everything is normal except Vitamin B12 level. The range level of the lab was 200 to 850. My test result was 795. Though it is still within range, I think my level is very high in my opinion. I searched internet and saw that high B12 is sometimes related to leukemia and liver malignancies. I again say the CBC is completely normal (Can leukemia be ruled out if I have normal CBC ? ) . I am very concerned regarding recent 2 kg weight loss and this high B12. I am always a slim person with normal weight. I am not alcoholic. I was a regular smoker but left smoking completely 5 years back. What is causing this high B12? Seeking answers from from people who know about blood and liver disorders.

[Hidden]

I wouldn't be too concerned since your other blood test values were normal. The B complex twice daily that your doctor had you taking may have raised your B12 level. I'd wait 3 or 4 months & have another blood test that included B12 level. In the meantime don't take vitamins containing B12 & eat meat in moderation. Losing 2 kg in two months might seem like a lot to a slim person but it's not something to be concerned about unless the weight loss continues for no identifiable reason like a change in diet or exercise level. I'm a fairly slim person & I can lose close to 2 kg in a day as a result of exercising strenuously for a long time & emptying my bowel.

I've had a high vitamin B12 level a couple of times. Mine has been as high as 809 pmol/L with 135 - 650 being the normal reference range in Australia. The liver stores B12 & if it's stressed it releases it resulting in a high blood level. I cut down on alcohol & painkillers & my next two readings were 572 & 611 so I never worried about it again. Out of curiosity I might ask for mine to be checked at my next blood test. In the US where meat consumption is very high the upper limit of the normal reference range for B12 is as high as 1100 pmol/L because meat contains a lot of B12.

I also wouldn't worry about possibly having leukaemia based on what you described. When I researched high B12 on the internet I noted that as well as a high B12 level a low platelet count like I tend to have, could be a sign of one type of leukaemia. Then I read that red dots (petechiae) on the skin can be another sign & I found some on my chest! Then I read that the red dots would tend to be on my legs & I found none there. I'm not going to worry that I may have a type of leukaemia based on information I find on the internet.

By all means keep monitoring how you feel but try to avoid worrying too much & fearing the worst.

[Hidden]

Hi sdee1234

Welcome.

Unfortunately, no one on the forum is medically qualified to assess your test results and advise.

We do have a publication 'Liver disease tests explained' that we have just updated that may be of general use;

britishlivertrust.org.uk/li...

It is often really tempting to google results and symptoms but this will only worry you more. We would suggest that you discuss this with your own doctors who are best placed to help.

Warm wishes

Trust1

[scampi2122 in reply to Hidden]

I have just read the updated publication. It is very good thank you.

[Hidden]

Hey sdee1234, hopefully this will set your mind at ease a bit. As a person who has been screened for leukemia and bone cancers myself, Cbc counts are only indicators to look further in pretty much any disease and are not incredibly diagnostic on their own. Leukemias fall into the category of what are know as myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNS). There six major groups of MPNS. The only way to 100 percent diagnose them or rule them out is by a bone marrow biopsy.

That being said from everyrhing I learned about it from my heamotologist is that if you dont have certain cell mutations in your blood like for example what is known as the JAK2 mutation or PhIledelphia chromosone for example then you are very unlikely to have it. I was being screened for it because I have a massive spleen of about 24.5 cm. The upmost by far common cause of massive spleen is MPNs but, alas I do not have leukemia or any MPNs for that matter.

Usually the most common CBC count test that would even put them in that realm of thinking for leukemia is chronicly raised white blood cell counts. From there further inspection would lead them to see that the white bood cells are not normal in apperance or function under microscope. Splenomegaly is also very common as I stated in MPNs and is often the first and only physical sign of it. The massive spleen also commonly would lower your platelets and red blood cells on a cbc count as splenomegaly usually sequesters cells from a process known as hypersplenism.

So all that being said I wouldnt at all think a doctor would worry or consider such a thing simply because your vit b12 is in the upper range of normal. My guess would be that the higher end b12 value is directly related to the B vitamins you were taking. B vitamin supplements are way way higher in dosage than the normal daily amount is recommended to be and though b vitamins are water soluble for the most part, the liver can store b12 for years. Id be worried if you were low on b12 but having it be and stay in the upper range of normal is totally fine. Of course always seek counsel from your doctor as this is just my experience and education along the way. I hope this helps you understand it a bit better.

-Phoenix