What is normal B12 level?

Normal values are 160 to 950 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL), or 118 to 701 picomoles per liter (pmol/L). Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or may test different samples. Talk to your provider about what your specific test results mean.

What is a normal B12 level in a woman?

A serum vitamin B₁₂ level between 200 pg/mL and 900 pg/mL is considered normal, but a threshold of 300 to 350 pg/mL is recognized as a marker for a desirable status in the elderly.

What is a healthy amount of B12?

While the recommended daily amount of vitamin B-12 for adults is 2.4 micrograms, higher doses have been found to be safe. Your body absorbs only as much as it needs, and any excess passes through your urine. High doses of vitamin B-12, such as those used to treat a deficiency, might cause: Headache.

Can B12 cause neuropathy?

B12 deficiency may cause demyelination of nerves in the peripheral and central nervous system¹³ and has been associated with peripheral neuropathy, loss of sensation in peripheral nerves, and weakness in lower extremities in older adults^{1, 14–16}.

What is low B12?

Key points about vitamin B12 deficiency anemia

With this condition, your body does not have enough healthy red blood cells, due to a lack (deficiency) of vitamin B. It is one of several types of megaloblastic anemia. Without enough red blood cells, your tissues and organs don't get enough oxygen.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency Symptoms | B12 Deficiency | Vitamin B12 - All You Need to Know

What happens if vitamin B12 is low in adults?

People with vitamin B12 deficiency can have neurological symptoms and/or damage without anemia (lack of red blood cells). General physical symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency can include: Feeling very tired or weak. Experiencing nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

What level of B12 is dangerously low?

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.

What are the warning signs of vitamin B12 deficiency?

What diseases can cause low B12?

What is the fastest way to fix B12 deficiency?

How to raise your B12 levels fast. The most common way to treat B12 deficiencies is by adjusting your diet. If this is unsuccessful, vitamin supplements may be recommended. If you're looking to boost the amount of vitamin B12 in your diet, you should eat more animal products, like meat, seafood, dairy and eggs.

What blocks B12 absorption?

[1] People who regularly take medications that suppress stomach acid for conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or peptic ulcer disease—such as proton-pump inhibitors, H2 blockers, or other antacids—may have difficulty absorbing vitamin B12 from food.

What is the most common cause of B12 deficiency?

Diet. Some people can develop a vitamin B12 deficiency as a result of not getting enough vitamin B12 from their diet. A diet that includes meat, fish and dairy products usually provides enough vitamin B12, but people who do not regularly eat these foods can become deficient.

What does B12 deficiency fatigue feel like?

Fatigue. Megaloblastic anemia due to vitamin B-12 deficiency may lead to a person feeling fatigued. Without enough red blood cells to carry oxygen around their body, a person can feel extremely tired.

How can I raise my B12 levels fast?

What level of B12 causes neurological symptoms?

Patients with neurological symptoms, serum B12 level lower than 200 pg/mL, and with normal folic acid levels were included in the study.

What does B12 neuropathy feel like?

pins and needles (paraesthesia) loss of physical co-ordination (ataxia), which can affect your whole body and cause difficulty speaking or walking. damage to parts of the nervous system (peripheral neuropathy), particularly in the legs.

What does B12 numbness feel like?

Numbness. Do your hands, feet, or legs feel like they're on “pins and needles”? Shortage of B12 can damage the protective sheath that covers your nerves.

Is it OK to take 1000 mcg B12 daily?

If you are low in vitamin B12, a common recommended dose for oral supplements is about 1,000 mcg daily. But you should make sure to ask your healthcare provider about how much vitamin B12 you should look for in a supplement.

Is it OK to take 5000 mcg B12 daily?

Is 5000 mcg of B12 too much? A dosage of 5000 mcg of Vitamin B12 has been deemed a safe dosing amount. In fact, it is often recommended for those who have a health condition that affects their B12 absorption.

Is 1000 mcg of B12 a day enough?

In a healthy individual, an oral dose of 250-500 mcg is usually sufficient for the daily requirement and maintenance therapy. High doses of vitamin B12 (1,000 mcg) is particularly useful in the treatment of pernicious anemia and other vitamin B12 related disorders.

What happens if your B12 is too high?

In some people, high levels of B12 may cause gastrointestinal problems such as bloating and diarrhea. And if you have high blood pressure or poor cardiovascular health, having too much B12 may further complicate these issues. Pregnant and breastfeeding women may also need to be especially mindful of B12 levels.

What are the symptoms of low B12?

What is the maximum B12 you can take per day?

There is no upper limit for vitamin B12, and most supplements provide between 500 mcg to 5,000 mcg of B12 daily to meet various nutritional needs [2].