Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

High levels of B12 and scared stiff

50 replies

Josiekitty · 14/12/2022 19:18

A few months ago a routine blood test showed high levels of B12 in my blood. I don't eat meat, only drink milk. I was taking a multivitamin so the GP asked me to stop and be retested. I stopped but my levels have risen again plus my blood count is borderline. I have been asked to go back in 4 weeks for a retest. I am so worried as everything I have googled points to leukaemia or other cancers. has anyone been through the same? Thanks so much xx

OP posts:
PoppyBlunt · 22/08/2023 21:21

@rainbowgirl
This is active b12, so very different. Active b12 makes up about 10-30% of total b12.

stayclosetoyourself · 22/08/2023 22:09

I don't usually worry about high B12 I'm presuming it's from the supplements and diet?? What else can it be ??

stayclosetoyourself · 22/08/2023 22:10

I wouldn't worry I've seen > 2000 on replacement and that's fine. I don't understand the concern.

stayclosetoyourself · 23/08/2023 10:55

Ok with google can see there are some research studies with association between high B 12 as a bio marker of cancer which did not draw any actual conclusions as far as I can see.

Original poster
Josiekitty · 23/08/2023 20:33

@PoppyBlunt yes and I’ve now spoken to 3 different doctors. One said there’s no point keep testing as it’s provoking anxiety and is non specific. The other wants to keep testing and running other bloods. I am just going mad with Google and finding allsorts. What has your doctor advised? xx

OP posts:
stayclosetoyourself · 23/08/2023 23:13

Josiekitty · 23/08/2023 20:33

@PoppyBlunt yes and I’ve now spoken to 3 different doctors. One said there’s no point keep testing as it’s provoking anxiety and is non specific. The other wants to keep testing and running other bloods. I am just going mad with Google and finding allsorts. What has your doctor advised? xx

Why are you still worrying about it? On B12 level I can't see an issue just be guided by your GP - are they saying something is wrong??

AriannasGuitarCase · 23/08/2023 23:41

@Josiekitty Have you any IBS type symptoms? SIBO can cause high B12 levels

Thisismynewusername1 · 23/08/2023 23:46

Josiekitty · 23/12/2022 19:46

No I am 55 so worrying a lot as I have young kids😰

How young are your kids?

just curious. I know on mn you’re deemed old, infertile and dried up by 30 so to have “young” kids at 55 is a mn anomaly 😂.

sorry o/t and no help with the b12 thing. I always thought low was the worry?

Jodie782 · 02/02/2024 12:49

Rainbowgirrl · 21/08/2023 21:56

@Josiekitty that is not high honestly you should not be worried about that. Who told you that was high..?

There is no upper limit for b12 you can't overdose on it. What your body doesn't need/absorb it will just secrete in urine. There is no record of anyone ever overdosing on b12.

I am on every other day b12 injections and I test over 2000.

I know this was a while ago. Do you know how long it stays in your body after have the injections?. I stopped 5 months ago and my serum b12 blood test result was 2300. All my other blood results normal. I actually felt better when I had them now I've got all the classic deficient symptoms now that are really awful. Everyone keeps saying this is dangerously high and must be something more serious- but that would show in my full blood test results?

Jodie782 · 02/02/2024 12:49

Josiekitty · 14/12/2022 19:18

A few months ago a routine blood test showed high levels of B12 in my blood. I don't eat meat, only drink milk. I was taking a multivitamin so the GP asked me to stop and be retested. I stopped but my levels have risen again plus my blood count is borderline. I have been asked to go back in 4 weeks for a retest. I am so worried as everything I have googled points to leukaemia or other cancers. has anyone been through the same? Thanks so much xx

Hi I know this was a while ago but did you get to the bottom of this?

reflecting2023 · 02/02/2024 13:33

What's with all the B12 anxiety lately?

Rainbowgirrl · 02/02/2024 14:38

@Jodie782 it can take up to 4/5 months for inactive b12 to be flushed put of the system. Do you have any multivitamins or anything like that as that can skew a result too.
The best test to ask for is "active b12" as this only will show what your body has taken up. A "serum b12" will show both what your body has taken and what is inactive floating around your body.

The fact that you have returned symptoms says that you most likely need more frequent injections.

Can you share abit of history woth your problem so I can try help if you dont mind.xx

MumofCrohnie · 02/02/2024 14:42

Weirdly my DD has high b12 as well, she has Crohn's and depleted levels are more common. Her iron is in her boots but her b12 looks high. It's 900+ so not in the 1000s yet, but it is a bit weird.

Jodie782 · 04/02/2024 20:08

Rainbowgirrl · 02/02/2024 14:38

@Jodie782 it can take up to 4/5 months for inactive b12 to be flushed put of the system. Do you have any multivitamins or anything like that as that can skew a result too.
The best test to ask for is "active b12" as this only will show what your body has taken up. A "serum b12" will show both what your body has taken and what is inactive floating around your body.

The fact that you have returned symptoms says that you most likely need more frequent injections.

Can you share abit of history woth your problem so I can try help if you dont mind.xx

Thank you I plan to ask this tomorrow. I do have all the awful symptoms of deficiency so baffled by high result. I did have h.pylori last year and discovered thyroid nodules (not sure if that makes a difference). I have protein shakes and probably a lot of b12 in my food. Had no idea about b12.

Rainbowgirrl · 04/02/2024 21:14

@Jodie782 you may be having lots of b12 in your body due to diet and supplements but a high b12 blood test certainly doesnt mean your body is putting it to use. If you have a problem absorbing it then you will just have it floating about in your body not getting used up. Thats why the active b12 test needs requesting to get a true result. Based on your symptoms it would still be wise for the doctors to rule any other possibilities out so i suggest to request for fbc, thyroid, ferritin, vitamin d tests to be taken too.

reflecting2023 · 04/02/2024 21:16

MumofCrohnie · 02/02/2024 14:42

Weirdly my DD has high b12 as well, she has Crohn's and depleted levels are more common. Her iron is in her boots but her b12 looks high. It's 900+ so not in the 1000s yet, but it is a bit weird.

Has she been on either nutritional supplements like Modulen or injections?

MumofCrohnie · 04/02/2024 22:18

reflecting2023 · 04/02/2024 21:16

Has she been on either nutritional supplements like Modulen or injections?

Show quote history

Not especially. She has ensure plus a couple of times a week.

Jodie782 · 05/02/2024 05:14

Rainbowgirrl · 04/02/2024 21:14

@Jodie782 you may be having lots of b12 in your body due to diet and supplements but a high b12 blood test certainly doesnt mean your body is putting it to use. If you have a problem absorbing it then you will just have it floating about in your body not getting used up. Thats why the active b12 test needs requesting to get a true result. Based on your symptoms it would still be wise for the doctors to rule any other possibilities out so i suggest to request for fbc, thyroid, ferritin, vitamin d tests to be taken too.

Thank you, I will ask if they can do this blood test. I had FBC,liver,kidneys,CRP and ferritin. The others all came back normal apart from b12 and folate was invalid, so had to have another test.

Rainbowgirrl · 05/02/2024 09:57

@Jodie782 probably good to try ask for the folate redoing and if you can get a vitamin d test if you haven't then get that checked as that can give fatigue and similar symptoms when low. Good luck 👍

Jodie782 · 05/02/2024 10:19

Rainbowgirrl · 05/02/2024 09:57

@Jodie782 probably good to try ask for the folate redoing and if you can get a vitamin d test if you haven't then get that checked as that can give fatigue and similar symptoms when low. Good luck 👍

Hi Rainbow, just had my appointment. Luckily have an amazing doctor who has booked me in for physio, the extra tests they do to confirm if I am going through menopause, the b12 active and another one that is connected M (something). She said I could be pernicious anemia so she's going down that route mainly. Thank you for taking time to reply it's been so helpful.

Rainbowgirrl · 05/02/2024 13:38

@Jodie782 so glad to hear you have a doctor that is investigating a few things. Let us know how you get on 💜

Jodie782 · 05/02/2024 16:03

Rainbowgirrl · 05/02/2024 13:38

@Jodie782 so glad to hear you have a doctor that is investigating a few things. Let us know how you get on 💜

Thank you Rainbowgirl, I didn't even have to mention any of the stuff you mentioned she had already booked me in for them bloods and physio for Friday. Very lucky.

I will let you know what comes of it. Thank you so much, really appreciate your help. Xx

Jodie782 · 12/02/2024 23:30

Rainbowgirrl · 05/02/2024 09:57

@Jodie782 probably good to try ask for the folate redoing and if you can get a vitamin d test if you haven't then get that checked as that can give fatigue and similar symptoms when low. Good luck 👍

Hi rainbow girl, my vitamin d & folate was normal but borderline low. Doctors have already booked me in for telephone appointment (before I even did the blood tests). Not sure if this is why my b12 was high?. Still waiting on b12 active result.

Rainbowgirrl · 13/02/2024 09:21

@Jodie782 b12 can be high if you are deficient in folate as b12 needs folate to convert. They are codependent, folate can mirror the symptoms of b12 deficiency but it is best to find out of you have low b12 first because it can also mask it.
Normal would be mid range so those levels arent great. Hope you get on the right track now a doctor is following it up with you.

Are you in the uk.? Most people in uk are vit d deficient. This was something I was low on and after they prescribed me some high dosage vit d tablets I carried on and sourced an oral spray for it.

Jodie782 · 13/02/2024 11:56

Rainbowgirrl · 13/02/2024 09:21

@Jodie782 b12 can be high if you are deficient in folate as b12 needs folate to convert. They are codependent, folate can mirror the symptoms of b12 deficiency but it is best to find out of you have low b12 first because it can also mask it.
Normal would be mid range so those levels arent great. Hope you get on the right track now a doctor is following it up with you.

Are you in the uk.? Most people in uk are vit d deficient. This was something I was low on and after they prescribed me some high dosage vit d tablets I carried on and sourced an oral spray for it.

Yes in uk, so I usually take vitamin d every winter but I hadn't this winter. Each week I've felt more stronger since taking vitamin d and magnesium. No more dizzy spells and pins/needles aren't as bad, but still there. I am still worried about my b12 being extremely high. I am waiting on some more results.

Thank you for replying.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page