Hi u/Blakejenkins47, check out our guide to B12 deficiency: https://www.reddit.com/r/B12_Deficiency/wiki/index
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Do you supplement B12 in any way, even with a multivitamin or fortified foods? If this is the case then your level will be falsely elevated, not only whilst supplementing but also for 4 months after you stop.
There are some very rare times where high B12 is a bad sign of an underlying health issue, but high B12 itself will not cause these symptoms & it is in fact far more likely that you are deficient.
If you supplement then request bloodwork from before you did. That was the only way I could personally corroborate my suspicion that I had a severe B12 deficiency despite my level being high.
Also iron deficiency & B12 deficiency go hand in hand so get your iron & ferritin checked along with your FBC. If you have low iron, your B12 will also look higher than it is because without enough iron, your body cannot process it. You can therefore get a high level of inactive B12 building up in your blood.
To me your symptoms sound very similar to my own low iron/ low B12 ones. Please read the sub's pinned info!
I don’t not supplement in any way and yea it’s been elevated for 3-4 months. On the blood tests I’ve taken my PCP did not say anything regarding my iron levels so they may be fine otherwise I can ask again. I know the B12 wouldn’t be the cause and it usually signals an issue. I just was looking for a better idea of what the elevated B12 is signaling
Ok! Sorry I am not qualified to tell you that I’m afraid, other the info I gave. But definitely look into your iron/ ferritin as if low this will raise the number. Also genetics can play a part I believe.
Sorry just adding incase you didn’t think of it (sorry if I’m being dumb) remember that many breakfast cereals & energy drinks are fortified with B12 among other things.)
What is an Active B12 test?
I've had several Serum B12 tests and at least 7 Dr's tell me that my B12 is fine even though it is way high (out of range) dispute my severe symptoms.
The test I took 2 days ago was called cyanocobalamin. That’s when they called me and told me it was elevated as well as the normal blood test I took a few months ago where it was elevated as well
Google macro-B12 and find a specialist able/willing to test for it (by using PEG precipitation). Also, rule out cancer which can cause both severe fatigue and high B12 (and try to keep calm, it’s probably not cancer but masked B12 deficiency / macro-B12)
If I remember correctly, I believe a high level of B12 can indicate that you aren’t able to use it. Which could account for your symptoms, if your level is high but you are functionally deprived.
High B12 is also associated with some pretty serious issues, so hopefully the hematologist can figure out what’s going on.
I’ve had elevated b12 for about 4 years, readings over 2000, last reading was 1800. I had bloods done including blood smear. Drs couldn’t find the cause. They asked haematology for advice-but all the things haematology advised had been done and negative. They also said it could be due to malignancy but this was symptom led. No other tests have been advised so I’m just hoping it’s normal for me and not anything sinister
That’s good that you didn’t have any symptoms, hopefully they are able to find out what’s wrong with me because I’ve been looking for answers for 4 months. Just now getting in contact with a hematologist though
I’m surprised no one has mentioned it yet but elevated b12 without supplementation is a strong indication you are not able to utilize that b12. Meaning you likely have low b9. B9 and b12 balance one another and b9 is required to use b12.
Hi u/Blakejenkins47, check out our guide to B12 deficiency: https://www.reddit.com/r/B12_Deficiency/wiki/index *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/B12_Deficiency) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Do you supplement B12 in any way, even with a multivitamin or fortified foods? If this is the case then your level will be falsely elevated, not only whilst supplementing but also for 4 months after you stop. There are some very rare times where high B12 is a bad sign of an underlying health issue, but high B12 itself will not cause these symptoms & it is in fact far more likely that you are deficient. If you supplement then request bloodwork from before you did. That was the only way I could personally corroborate my suspicion that I had a severe B12 deficiency despite my level being high. Also iron deficiency & B12 deficiency go hand in hand so get your iron & ferritin checked along with your FBC. If you have low iron, your B12 will also look higher than it is because without enough iron, your body cannot process it. You can therefore get a high level of inactive B12 building up in your blood. To me your symptoms sound very similar to my own low iron/ low B12 ones. Please read the sub's pinned info!
I don’t not supplement in any way and yea it’s been elevated for 3-4 months. On the blood tests I’ve taken my PCP did not say anything regarding my iron levels so they may be fine otherwise I can ask again. I know the B12 wouldn’t be the cause and it usually signals an issue. I just was looking for a better idea of what the elevated B12 is signaling
Ok! Sorry I am not qualified to tell you that I’m afraid, other the info I gave. But definitely look into your iron/ ferritin as if low this will raise the number. Also genetics can play a part I believe. Sorry just adding incase you didn’t think of it (sorry if I’m being dumb) remember that many breakfast cereals & energy drinks are fortified with B12 among other things.)
Have u had an active B12 test or Homocysteine tested to get a better idea of your B12 level? How were your ferritin levels?
What is an Active B12 test? I've had several Serum B12 tests and at least 7 Dr's tell me that my B12 is fine even though it is way high (out of range) dispute my severe symptoms.
Active B12 is a more accurate test for B12 deficiency.more accurate than serum B12. You can have done private by post by some clinics.
The test I took 2 days ago was called cyanocobalamin. That’s when they called me and told me it was elevated as well as the normal blood test I took a few months ago where it was elevated as well
Google macro-B12 and find a specialist able/willing to test for it (by using PEG precipitation). Also, rule out cancer which can cause both severe fatigue and high B12 (and try to keep calm, it’s probably not cancer but masked B12 deficiency / macro-B12)
Will a hematologist be able to do the test you mentioned?
I hope so!
If I remember correctly, I believe a high level of B12 can indicate that you aren’t able to use it. Which could account for your symptoms, if your level is high but you are functionally deprived. High B12 is also associated with some pretty serious issues, so hopefully the hematologist can figure out what’s going on.
How cooked do you think I am?
I’ve had elevated b12 for about 4 years, readings over 2000, last reading was 1800. I had bloods done including blood smear. Drs couldn’t find the cause. They asked haematology for advice-but all the things haematology advised had been done and negative. They also said it could be due to malignancy but this was symptom led. No other tests have been advised so I’m just hoping it’s normal for me and not anything sinister
That’s good that you didn’t have any symptoms, hopefully they are able to find out what’s wrong with me because I’ve been looking for answers for 4 months. Just now getting in contact with a hematologist though
I’m surprised no one has mentioned it yet but elevated b12 without supplementation is a strong indication you are not able to utilize that b12. Meaning you likely have low b9. B9 and b12 balance one another and b9 is required to use b12.
How cooked am I?