High B12 in child

[tiokiko]

DD (9) has been very tired for a while, very low energy, very pale with dark circles under her eyes, sensitive to cold and has had headaches and a low-level sore throat for weeks.

She's had blood tests at GP and is generally in terms of iron, blood count, thyroid etc but has very high B12 (over 2000 - not measured as off the scale).

GP said there's no problem with high B12 and it's prob caused by the kids multivitamin that she takes each day. I've since Googled and can see that high B12 can be a significant problem - can a multivit designed for kids (gives 120% RDA for B12) really cause such a high level?

[tiokiko]

Sorry for the typo - meant to say that she is generally fine in terms of iron etc.

[tiokiko]

Bump - any ideas whether this can just be caused by a daily multivitamin?

[TheNecroscope]

As far as I know (I have B12 deficiency) high levels of B12 in and of themselves aren't an issue, but if they come about with no supplementation it's indicative of an issue.
I have no idea if a daily dose of 120% would be enough to increase levels that much, I have regular injections of B12 and my levels are always over 2000 too.
Could you try stopping the tablets (or changing for ones with other vitamins but no B12) for a few months and retesting just to be sure?

[HopelesslydevotedtoGu]

High B12 shouldn't result from a normal dose vitamin as your body should expel excess B12.

High B12 can be due to some illnesses. I would ask if your GP can discuss with a Paediatrician. Tricky if your GP thinks it is just due to the vitamin.

[tiokiko]

Thanks both.

We've stopped the multivitamin now - she was only taking it on advice from the GP when she was very run down a couple of years ago.

I just genuinely don't get why a standard kids' general multivit would cause such a high reading. I don't want to over-react if it's totally plausible/expected that this could happen, but equally don't want to ignore it if it could be a cause for concern.

The GP isn't particularly helpful which I think is why I'm not feeling reassured by this. I will ask for a re-test of B12 but not sure how long to leave it before re-testing.

[paddlingwhenIshouldbeworking]

We had this with my DS a few years ago. He didn't take any supplements. It turned out to be nothing at all (a few worrying things online). The doctor said it was probably the result of a long running virus which had resulted in him being very tired - hence the blood tests. Blood tests were repeated 2 weeks then a month later and had returned to normal. He's now a fit and healthy teenager.

[theotherendofthesockportal]

@tiokiko you have to be free of b12 supplementary for 4 months before testing. Your body does expel any excess b12. Have the doctors tested folate and vitamin d levels? They normally go hand in hand with b12 and all need to be at a sufficient level to help make you feel better

[tiokiko]

Thanks paddling that's really reassuring. It's so difficult to get the balance between over- and under-reacting sometimes... I think she could well have/have had a long-running virus too as she really isn't well at all.

They've taken throat swabs and run some more tests so will get results next week and take it from there.

[Ollivander84]

Mine was off the scale and it was my multi vit. No issues otherwise - I'm neutropenic so have bloods taken every 12 weeks and they check everything

[tiokiko]

@theotherendofthesockportal serum folate is high (19.8ug/L range 2.6-20) but not flagged as a concern. Vit D is 95 which is mid-range and fine I think?

Interesting re timescales for B12 - just seems odd for it to be so high when she was just taking a standard kids' vitamin, not super-high dose or anything.

[lettuceWrap]

If your DC has certain less common metabolic pathways (try googling Mthfr gene mutation, or methylation defect), then the b12 in the multivitamin (which is almost certainly synthetic folic acid and not folate), could be causing the high blood levels (but at the same time your dc wouldn’t be able to effectively use that B12, because it’s the wrong form).

[tiokiko]

That's interesting @lettucewrap - I've had a quick google but will look into it more. Am I right in thinking that it could be treated with the right sort of supplement?

[SeaToSki]

I would be asking for bloodwork and a urine analysis to see if her liver and kidneys are working properly. High B12 can be a sign of something wrong there. Simple tests that can rule out the nasties and then you can just focus on the simple possibilities

[lettuceWrap]

Yes... and also avoiding supplemented foods (ie flours, breakfast cereals, breads with added folic acid), unfortunately for a substantial minority of the population, synthetic folic acid may do more harm than good.

I use a Methyl Folate supplement (also D3 withK2), but there are a number of forms of folate (best one depends on which Mthfr genes you have)... HOWEVER, this is new/emerging science. It’s not well understood which is not surprising as the genetic testing to look at these rarer metabolic pathways is quite new. IMO they are common enough in the general population that they shouldn’t be called gene defects, but variations.

I know it’s possible to get tested for it by your GP on the nhs because my close relative did after sadly losing a baby to stillbirth at term (there seems to be a connection to stillbirth, amongst other things), but a number of us in the family had already learned of our Mthfr status by doing 23andme, and that was the reason my relative asked for “proper” testing...

[tiokiko]

@seatoski first round of bloods included liver/kidney function and all OK. Apart from high B12 and low lymphocyte, nothing else flagged as outwith ranges. Serum folate high and almost out of range and MCH lowish but in range.

[tiokiko]

Thanks @lettucewrap that's really interesting - was wondering if it was covered by 23andme but hadn't got that far yet. Will definitely read up on it, there is so much emerging science in this area. She doesn't have any of the most common symptoms listed but it seems that this isn't unusual either. Will keep reading - thanks.

[lettuceWrap]

It’s covered by the raw data 23andme provides (not by the limited health report provided along with the -very interesting- ethnic/geographical data, unless that’s changed recently), but it’s very easy to upload the raw data to third party analysts that generate more detailed reports, for only a few pounds - there are user message boards on 23andme where people will share info about that, if you choose to do that.

[TheLittlePicker]

Struggling to understand some of the above! My seven year old has very high b12 levels and I’m told the paediatrician is keeping an eye on it. Not sure what he is looking for though? He has presented with very high levels on a number of occasions over a 12 month period. Some paediatricians say it’s nothibg to worry about and others say “we need to keep an eye on this”. What are they potentially keeping an eye out for?

[TheLittlePicker]

He has never been on any multivitamins or supplements.

[Simba1234]

Hi I’m new so was just wondering if anyone is still
Active on this post. My daughter had her bloods tested. Part of the test was to check her b12 levels. The result has come back in 1600 range. Is this cause for concern?

[TheLittlePicker]

The paediatricians said in children it isn’t always a sign for concern. But they have monitored it nonetheless. My child’s was the same level -1600. Now it has come down to 800. I felt worried as they had flagged it up and then said not to worry!

[Simba1234]

Oh ok. We went to the gp she said it was high. I questioned her why it would be so high she just shrugged and said I don’t know. This was Friday. I’ve had the whole weekend with dr google which isn’t anyone’s best friend. It you have rest assured me. She did say she was going to refer her to a paediatric heamatologist. I am also looking for one myself to take her to privately but having difficulty finding One in Birmingham.

[sockportal]

@Simba1234 if you find one in Birmingham, please let me know?

[Simba1234]

@sockportal unfortunately we wasn’t able to find one in Birmingham who could see us ASAP. Although children’s hospital have a team of paediatric heamatologists but receptionist was unsure if they saw private patients. We had drive all the way to London to see one!!!

[sockportal]

Thank you @Simba1234