Introduction
Hypercobalaminemia, a medical condition characterized by abnormally high levels of vitamin B12 in the blood serum, occurs when the body’s tissues are unable to effectively utilize this essential nutrient. This condition can arise from various underlying factors, leading to a buildup of excess vitamin B12 in the bloodstream. Recognizing the symptoms associated with hypercobalaminemia is crucial for early diagnosis and appropriate management. In the following paragraphs, we will delve into the causes, symptoms, and what is the treatment for high vitamin b12 to providing a comprehensive understanding of hypercobalaminemia.
Vitamin B12 Normal Levels
Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, plays a vital role in the body. It is involved in the production of DNA, contributes to the formation of red blood cells, and plays an important role in energy synthesis in addition to its functions for the nervous system. It is a type of vitamin that dissolves in water, so it is not likely to increase its percentage in blood serum except in special cases. The excess is always excreted in the urine and disposed of. The normal level of vitamin B12 in the blood ranges from 160 to 950 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL). Or 118 to 701 picomoles per liter (pmol/L). (Sharma, 2022)
Normal B12 Levels by Age
Normal vitamin B12 levels can vary from one laboratory to another, as well as from one age group to another. Newborns to one year old: 200 – 900 pg/ml. Children from one to one and a half years: 200 – 600 pg/ml. Adults age 19 to 64: 200-950 pg/ml. Adults over 64: 200 – 700 pg/ml.
Symptoms of High B12 Levels in Blood
High cobalamin levels can indicate a serious health problem such as hypereosinophilic syndrome (Ermens, Vlasveld, & Lindemans, 2003) Or chronic myelogenous leukemia, or hypereosinophilic syndrome. It may also indicate liver disorders such as acute hepatitis, cirrhosis, or hepatocellular carcinoma. It is difficult for the affected liver to filter cobalamin from the blood serum, causing its levels to rise above normal levels. But this does not mean that high levels of vitamin B12 necessarily mean cancer. There are other reasons that could cause this to happen. For example, symptoms of high levels of vitamin B12 in blood serum can appear in people who are being treated for a deficiency of this vitamin due to overdose. Therefore, if you suffer from the following symptoms:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Tingling in hands
- Tingling in the feet
- Exhaustion
- Fatigue
You should consult your doctor to perform the required tests and diagnose the real cause behind these symptoms. If the problem is due to high levels of Vitamin B12 in the blood, then you should know the treatment for high vitamin B12 that suits you.
Does High B12 Mean Cancer?
Although some cases of cancer suffered from high levels of vitamin B12 in the blood serum. This relationship is not confirmed and recent studies have not proven it conclusively. With the exception of liver cancer, there was no causal relationship between cancer and high levels of the vitamin in blood serum. The link between high levels of vitamin B12 and cases of liver cancer is due to the fact that the liver stores large amounts of the vitamin until it is needed. Therefore, when its cells are damaged, large amounts of the vitamin are released into the blood serum. This means that the issue is not related to eating large amounts of foods and nutritional supplements that contain vitamin B12; but rather related to the deterioration of the condition of the liver. Which made it unable to deal with the vitamin in the natural way. (Obeid, 2022)
Best Treatment for High Vitamin B12
High levels of vitamin B12 in the blood serum are usually a symptom of another health problem, and to know what is the treatment for high vitamin B12, we must determine the problem that led to its occurrence. If the cause is due to liver disease, for example, the treatment is as follows:
- Lifestyle change
- Stop drinking alcohol
- Take medications that treat liver disease
If the cause is due to kidney disease, treatment may include the following:
- Lifestyle change
- Taking medications that treat kidney problems
- Dialysis in severe cases
If the problem is related to cancer, the treatment is as follows:
- Surgical procedure
- Chemotherapy
- Radiotherapy
Some tips that can help you expel excess amounts of vitamin B12 from the body:
- Reduce your intake of meat, poultry and shellfish, which contain high levels of the vitamin.
- Drink plenty of water because the vitamin dissolves in water and is excreted in the urine.
- Exercise to increase metabolic activity and blood circulation, which helps expel excess vitamins from the blood.
Vitamin B12 Blood Test
The level of vitamin B12 in the blood serum is tested by taking a blood sample. When vitamin B12 level is abnormal, and you want to know what is the treatment for high vitamin B12 and if it is a series health problem. The first thing a health care professional should do is perform two other tests:
- Methylmalonic acid
- Homocysteine
If you have high level of vitamin B12 and high levels of methylmalonic acid and homocysteine and you are taking treatment for vitamin B12 deficiency, this may mean that you are taking high doses of nutritional supplements and do not have a serious problem. To confirm this, you can perform some simple tests, such as a complete blood count and a chemistry test for liver function and kidney function. If the level of vitamin B12 in the blood serum is high and the levels of methylmalonic acid and homocysteine are normal. This means that you should stop taking vitamin B12 supplements completely. Or stop taking it for six months if you are one of the groups at risk of developing a deficiency of this important vitamin in the body. The groups most at risk of developing vitamin B12 deficiency in blood serum are:
- The elderly
- People who are treated with some types of medications that interfere with the absorption of the vitamin in the body
- Suffering from some diseases that hinder the absorption of the vitamin from food within the body
- Pregnancies
Summary
Hypercobalaminemia, a medical condition characterized by abnormally high levels of vitamin B12 in the blood serum, occurs when the body’s tissues are unable to effectively utilize this essential nutrient.
References
Ermens, A., Vlasveld, L., & Lindemans, J. (2003). Significance of elevated cobalamin (vitamin B12) levels in blood. PubMed.
Obeid, R. (2022). High Plasma Vitamin B12 and Cancer in Human Studies: A Scoping Review to Judge Causality and Alternative Explanations. PubMed Central.
Sharma, D. R. (2022, March 28). Vitamin B12 Test guide. Retrieved from Redcliffe Labs: https://redcliffelabs.com/myhealth/blood-test/vitamin-b12-test-what-do-the-high-and-low-vitamin-b12-levels-suggest/
