In vegans, treatment may need to be life-long, whereas in other people with dietary deficiency replacement treatment can be stopped once the vitamin B12 levels have been corrected and the diet has improved. Give dietary advice about foods that are a good source of vitamin B12 — good sources of vitamin B12 include: Eggs.
Full Answer
What is the best way to treat vitamin B12 deficiency?
Hydroxocobalamin 1000μg IM 3x/week for 2 weeks and then every 3 months lifelong and investigate for underlying cause if the repeat level is still low, a significant proportion of these patients will go on to develop symptomatic vitamin B12 deficiency in the future.
How long does it take for vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms to appear?
Because the body stores about 1 to 5 mg vitamin B12 (or about 1,000 to 2,000 times as much as the amount typically consumed in a day), the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency can take several years to appear [ 7, 33 ]. Vitamin B12 deficiency with the classic hematologic and neurologic signs and symptoms is uncommon [ 11 ].
How long does it take for B12 to flush out?
If you’re still obsessed over lowering your B12 levels, just know that vitamin B12 is water-soluble. Any excess in the blood is released in the urine within hours. It really doesn’t take much long for excess B12 to flush out of your system. There are no toxicity levels, and you can’t overdose on B12.
Can high doses of vitamin B12 supplements normalize serum B12?
The evidence from these studies, although of low quality, showed that the ability of high oral doses of vitamin B12 supplements to normalize serum vitamin B12 was similar to that of intramuscular vitamin B12. The following groups are among those most likely to be vitamin B12 deficient.
When should I stop taking B12 blood test?
You should not eat or drink for about 6 to 8 hours before the test. Certain medicines may affect the results of this test.
How long do you treat B12 deficiency?
Once you begin treating your vitamin B12 deficiency, it can take up to six to 12 months to fully recover. It is also common to not experience any improvement during the first few months of treatment. If you can, it's a good idea to address what's causing the deficiency.
What level should B12 be replaced at?
We found that oral vitamin B12 replacement at 1000 μg daily was adequate to replace vitamin B12 levels in patients with pernicious anemia.
What is a dangerously high B12 level?
An abnormally high vitamin B-12 status is anything over 900 pg/mL. This result may suggest liver or kidney problems, diabetes, or certain forms of leukemia.
Is B12 deficiency reversible?
A deficiency of vitamin B12 can cause neurological and psychiatric problems that “can progress if left untreated, and can lead to irreversible damage,” said Dr. Donald Hensrud, director of the Mayo Clinic's Healthy Living Program. Fortunately, it can be reversed fairly easily with vitamin pills or injections.
Can B12 deficiency nerve damage be reversed?
Most problems due to vitamin B12 deficiency can be treated with vitamin B12 supplementation, but nerve damage may not be reversible even after treatment. The sooner your vitamin B12 deficiency is treated, the more likely it is that your symptoms will go away.
What is borderline B12 level?
Patients with B12 levels between 200 and 300 pg/mL are considered borderline, and further enzymatic testing may be helpful in diagnosis. Patients with B12 levels below 200 pg/mL are considered deficient. However, a low serum B12 level does not determine the etiology of the deficiency.
What is a dangerously low B12 level?
Values of less than 160 pg/mL (118 pmol/L) are a possible sign of a vitamin B12 deficiency. People with this deficiency are likely to have or develop symptoms. Older adults with a vitamin B12 level less than 100 pg/mL (74 pmol/L) may also have symptoms.
Can you overdose on vitamin B12?
You cannot overdose on vitamin B12 because any excess you simply pee out. If you get b12 shots, you may experience side effects like dizziness, nausea, and fatigue. It is possible to have elevated B12 levels in blood tests, which may indicate cancer or diabetes.
Is B12 level of 1500 too high?
There is no consensus on the definition of high or elevated B12. Previous studies have chosen a variety of levels to represent high or very high B12 (pmol/l) levels. Some examples include: 664.219; 5131; 700 (high) and 1500 (very high)11; and 601 (high) and 1000 (very high)10.
How do I reduce my B12 levels?
Research has suggested that the consumption of alcohol may reduce vitamin B12 levels. An older study indicated that moderate alcohol intake diminished vitamin B12 by 5% among “healthy, well-nourished, postmenopausal women.” Alcohol-related liver disease may falsely increase vitamin B12 test levels.
What cancers cause high B12?
Other studies focusing on specific cancers have shown a strong association between elevated B12 levels and liver cancers (OR 3.3 [95%CI: 1.1–10.4] for hepatocellular carcinomas and OR 4.7 [95%CI: 1.2–17.9] for other liver cancers) [16], a moderate association with prostate cancer (OR 1.1 [95%CI: 1.0–1.2]) [17], and no ...
What is the treatment for B12 deficiency?
You can change your diet to include vitamin B12-fortified grains, a supplement or B12 injections, or a high-dose oral vitamin B12 if you are deficient. Older adults who have a vitamin B12 deficiency will likely have to take a daily B12 supplement or a multivitamin that contains B12.
Do symptoms of B12 deficiency come and go?
The symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency can develop slowly and worsen over time. Some symptoms may be experienced by people who have a vitamin B12 deficiency without anemia. Some people may experience no symptoms, despite low levels of vitamin B12.
How often should you have B12 injections for pernicious anemia?
For Pernicious Anemia B12 may be injected into a muscle or under the skin at 100 mcg daily for a week, every other day for another week, and then every three or four days for a month. Thereafter, 100 mcg should be injected once a month for life.
Can B12 deficiency happen quickly?
The symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency can develop slowly and can get worse over time. Some people may have no symptoms despite having a low level of vitamin B12 in their bodies. People with vitamin B12 deficiency can have neurological symptoms and/or damage without anemia (lack of red blood cells).