Tag: Excess vitamin b12

While a vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to serious health issues, research indicates that having an excessively high level of B12 in the blood may signal underlying medical conditions. Though a high B12 level itself is often harmless, it can be a biomarker pointing to potential problems with the liver, kidneys, or blood.

Vitamin B12 is an essential water-soluble vitamin vital for red blood cell formation, neurological function, and DNA synthesis. While many people focus on deficiency, it is also important to consider: Is there a risk of having too much B12? While unlikely to be toxic from food, excessive intake, especially from high-dose supplements or injections, can lead to side effects.

While vitamin B12 is essential for health, its water-soluble nature means the body readily excretes excess amounts through urine, making true toxicity uncommon. However, very high doses, especially from injections, can lead to adverse side effects. Can there be vitamin B12 toxicity from extreme supplementation?

According to the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, no adverse effects have been associated with excess vitamin B12 intake from food and supplements in healthy individuals. So, what does B12 do if you have too much from megadoses or other causes? While often harmless, excessively high levels can sometimes lead to uncomfortable side effects or serve as a sign of an underlying health problem.