Posted by tealady on January 28, 2005, at 16:37:38
In reply to Re: B-12 level too high? Larry Hoover, posted by Cairo on January 28, 2005, at 11:13:07
> We just received lab results on my teenager who has been complaining of fatigue. SMAC, thyroid, folic acid, vit. E, ANA, lead, and iron indices came back normal. Only things that stood out were ferritin being low normal (20 ng/ml) and B-12 being high (1456 pg/ml; normal=211-911). Could high B-12 mean anything? I searched on Google and found only a few sites than even mention B-12 overdose with the following symptoms:
>
> "Can cause folic acid-related anemia if low,
> numbness or tingling in right arm or right side
> of face, anxieties, panic-anxiety attacks, heart
> palpitations, hyperthyroid, optic nerve atrophy
> (in someone with Leber's disease), insomnia,
> may worsen symptoms of mitral valve prolapse"
>
> The anxiety, panic, and insomnia stood out as she has these.
>
> She takes a B-50 supplement. Should I be concerned about the high B-12 level in terms of toxicity? Or could it indicate something else such as reduced B-12 in the CNS (it not crossing the BBB and serum levels go up)?
>
> CairoHi,
First what's SMAC?
Also what were the thyroid levels and ranges? It's good to keep them for the future too if there really are ideal as a base reference. The figures will give an idea of hyperthyroid tendencies or not.(one of the symptoms you listed as too high B12). I know low B12 and hypothyroid go together often.Most people on a B12 forum I used to visit would find that level acceptable. Quite a few had levels up to 2000. However if the B50 contains cyanocobalamin(s?) form, I think with those results it would be better to cut to a B25 (cut the tablet in half or take 1/2 cap). I really don't like the cyanide bit of that one.
Most females find a B25 is a high enough level of B's for long term supplementation.
At a young age she obviously absorbbs b12 well and really doesn't need any supps. I know its hard to find a B vit without the B12 though.I suspect that somehow b12 and folate (folic acid) may "balance" somehow in ours bodies. They both lower homocysteine.
My (and my Mum's) red cell folate (on a blood test) is over range ..and B12 lowish.
Perhaps high B12 levels tend to lower the folate levels also?
I can se how a too high B supp could cause insomnia. I'd have thought maybe the B5 especially.
Doubt if the BBB- B12 stuff is known. However considering the size of our brains compared to the rest of our body , I doubt if any problems there would significantly raise the B12 level in the res of our body. Also nerves are throughout our body and if symptoms of panic and anxiety are the concern, then if it was the B12 ..it must be crossing the BBB? I wouldn't worry about this point myself.However some of us ( well me anyway) develop symptoms of anxiety with too high a B3 intake..and yet B3 is often a remedy for anxiety.
Acne with fish oil etc may be low too a B5 level, but too high will wire you up.If you are concerned, why not stop the supp for a couple of weeks for starters and se if any symptoms decline.
B12 will stay in the body for months.Her ferritin is too low for comfor and at that level could cause anxiety symptoms, especuially when taking a B50 supp which (I suspect) could increase the anxiety when ferritin is that low.
Ideally ferritn should be around 50ish..so maybe stop the B50 for a couple of weeks and take some iron supps with meals and a little VitC (or preferably an orange or something with VitC in it).
It could take a few months to raise ferritin levels to optimal. Low ferritin can cause anxiety type symptoms, fatigue, panic type symptoms.IMO more is not always better with some supps, especially the B's. I know how they affect me.
Jan
poster:tealady
thread:449152
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20050101/msgs/449307.html