High level of B12: I have been having B... - Pernicious Anaemi...

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High level of B12

Shirley7144 profile image
8 Replies

I have been having B12 injections once a month for the past 3 years, generally in the past my b12 blood test have been ok ,now my blood test of last week shows my b12 at

1476 , Dr says this is to high and will only inject every two months. Anyone with advise

On this?,

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Shirley7144 profile image
Shirley7144
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8 Replies
clivealive profile image
clivealiveForum Support

Are you in the U.K? Are you on cyanocobamalin?

Whatever did your doctor expect with you having monthly injections Shirley7144 ?

Are your neurological symptoms "under control" on that frequency?

You cannot "overdose" on B12 as any excess is excreted via your urine so tell your doc to stop worrying.

Do you know what your Folate level is?

Folate and B12 helps your iron to function properly and make red blood cells and the three need to be "kept in balance".

Shirley7144 profile image
Shirley7144 in reply toclivealive

No in Canada. Folate level not checked, they do not do that test in Canada. Iron level is low. Never had any symptoms , only blood test confirmed I had low B12

clivealive profile image
clivealiveForum Support in reply toShirley7144

What diagnosis does you Mum have B12 deficiency or Pernicious Anaemia and if the former do you have any ideas as to the cause? - although reading down to your next comment her age and diabetes (if Type 1) make her a prime candidate.

Can she eat animal products - red meats, fish, seafood, eggs, poultry, dairy produce?

Absorption of B12 from food requires high levels of acid in the stomach and this acidity declines as we grow older so anyone over the age of 60 is at risk of developing a B12 deficiency.

We source Folate naturally by eating leafy green vegetables, sprouts, broccoli, asparagus, spinach (good for iron too) beans, peas etc. Folic acid is also to be found fortified into some breakfast cereals and it can be bought cheaply over the counter in a pharmacy or supermarket.

Shirley7144 profile image
Shirley7144 in reply toclivealive

B12 deficiency. Yes she eats red meats. And a lot of green veggies.

clivealive profile image
clivealiveForum Support in reply toShirley7144

Well if your Mum has no symptoms and a healthy diet I suggest you tell her doctor what you have learned from Gambit62 and try and get the injections restored back to monthly.

I am not a medically trained person but have had P.A. for more than 45 years and I'm still "clivealive" and over 75.

I bid you both goodnight from the U.K and wish you well.

Shirley7144 profile image
Shirley7144 in reply toclivealive

Sorry I didn't finish my sentence, In Canada the b12 levels are much lower than in the UK. I though to much of B12 would be stored in the liver and would cause damage... So confused .. Actually I am writing these posts for my mom who is a diabetic and is a young 92...

Gambit62 profile image
Gambit62Administrator

Your levels of B12 are not too high.

Treatment post loading shots should not be based on serum levels - it should be based on symptoms - the normal range doesn't apply after loading shots.

A loading shot will raise your B12 levels far above the normal range and then it will gradually decrease over time - rate will get slower as the levels fall. On average about 1/2 is lost (removed by the kidneys) in the first 24-48 hours.

Serum B12 post loading shots is only significant if it comes back low - showing that you definitely need B12 more frequently.

B12 isn't toxic and if your GP is concerned because they have read about functional B12 deficiency in relation to serum B12 levels that have been raised slightly above normal range by liver and kidney problems then the logic isn't correct - as the reaction that leads to functional B12 deficiency is an inevitable result of the raising serum through loading shots ... and keeping serum B12 levels high is an effective way of treating this condition (which may be part of why people who are being treated with B12 shots report that they need, on average, to maintain those levels above the top of normal to feel okay.

Whilst there is a correlation between being treated for B12 deficiency and higher rates of cancer with larger tumours no causal link between high serum B12 and cancer has been established and more likely that the higher rates of cancer are due to development of pre-cancer whilst the patient was B12 deficient. The larger tumours are probably because B12 will support the reproduction of cancerous cells as well as regulating the production of healthy cells.

Not really sure what to advise if your GP is being stubborn about things - but you could try pointing them at the area on the PAS website that is particularly geared towards helping medical practitioners improve the diagnosis and treatment of patients with B12 absorption problems like PA

pernicious-anaemia-society....

Shirley7144 profile image
Shirley7144 in reply toGambit62

Dr has agreed to her still having monthly injections but at a lower dose, not sure how much she was getting each month, will check with him on the 23 and will let you know the dosage he will be giving her.

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