Excess B12: Hi, my dad’s B12 test... - Lung Cancer Support

Lung Cancer Support

3,990 members2,163 posts

Excess B12

Ina3 profile image
Ina3
6 Replies

Hi, my dad’s B12 test results came bery high.

Basically his B12 level is 2000 when the normal range is 200-900.

Is it normal? Should we worry about it? Any other tests that we need to check.

With his current chemo Pemetrexed , the doctor told to take B12 shots 7 days before the chemo with folic acid and he did it during last chemo. His another cycle is coming in one week and I guess we should stop B12 but very confused now since there are many discussion on that. Thanks

Written by
Ina3 profile image
Ina3
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
6 Replies
Denzie profile image
DenzieModeratorVolunteer

This is probably a good question to call his doctor about. Honestly, I can’t remember why B12 is given to patients receiving it. I do know that not taking it causes some organ damage.

Ask the doctor or his nurse if it’s high because of the shot or because the pametrexed blocks the body’s ability to absorb B12. I’d love to hear their answer!

Denzie profile image
DenzieModeratorVolunteer

Did you hear back from the doctor?

Ina3 profile image
Ina3 in reply to Denzie

No, unfortunately . I think they just dont know. :(

Lisam81 profile image
Lisam81

Vitamin B12 is water soluble and leaves the body through urine, so even at high doses it’s rarely harmful and rarely builds up inside because it’s excreted, so a high vitamin B12 level is not common and can indicate something else going on inside. Does your dad have a tumor in his liver or liver lesion? While high B12 levels are not common, when they are seen it can involve liver disease, diabetes or myeloproliferative disorders. I would find out if your dad has cancer involvement to his liver. If he does, I wonder if this could be causing the high B12 levels. If he doesn’t, I would still look into liver disease, diabetes, or a myeloproliferative disorder and rule those out of it doesn’t look like it’s caused from cancer in the liver. I would also check into Functional B12 deficiency where the body doesn’t process B12 correctly and it builds up. But either way, I would not ignore this and would get him to a specialist, hematologist doctor?, who can look into it.

Ina3 profile image
Ina3 in reply to Lisam81

Thank you. He has lungs cancer, nothing in the liver and we checked recently and diabetis test was good too. How can functional B12 deficiency be tested? Thanks

Lisam81 profile image
Lisam81 in reply to Ina3

That’s great no cancer in the liver! But has he had liver function tests run to see if there isn’t something else going on with his liver - liver disease? Most of these tests are blood tests - same with functional B12 deficiency. He does need the correct specialist though. I am not entirely certain which exact specialists but I feel a Hematologist would be a very good place to start. The hematologist can run his blood work and start investigating into the high b12. But as I said, I wouldn’t just let it go and would push for investigation into it until they have an answer. At the very least, you want to get all the possible causes ruled out.

You may also like...

Stage 4 adenocarcinom

it was also in the lining of his lung as well as all the lymph nodes tested. We were told he was...

What symptoms do you have when your losing your battle with cancer?

sometimes he cries and says his goodbys and ask God to take him already. As his children our hearts...

Time for some SBRT - and for keeping it real

years, this 'new normal' still seems surreal. Chemo...check. Maintenance chemo...check....

My dad has been place in hospice care at home.

were hoping that the first run of chemo had at least help him with his pain and diminished the...

Recovering from a lobectomy

take the chemo, I have no energy and am constantly fatigued, blood test all come back normal and...