From the Guidelines
A vitamin B12 level of 1030.0 pg/mL is considered elevated and may be associated with a reduced risk of stroke, as evidenced by the recent study published in Stroke 1. This level is above the normal reference range, which is typically between 200-900 pg/mL. However, according to the study, B vitamins, including B12, have been shown to reduce the risk of ischemic stroke by 43% 1. The study suggests that supplementation with B vitamins, including B12, is reasonable to reduce stroke risk, with the caveat that methylcobalamin or hydroxycobalamin should be used instead of cyanocobalamin 1. Some key points to consider:
- Elevated B12 levels are rarely a primary medical concern, though in some cases they may be associated with liver disease, certain blood disorders, or some cancers.
- The body typically excretes excess water-soluble vitamins like B12 through urine when levels are too high.
- If you're currently taking B12 supplements and don't have a medical condition requiring them, you might consider discussing with your healthcare provider whether to continue at your current dose.
- It's essential to share this result with your doctor during your next visit, especially if you have other health concerns or if the level continues to rise on future tests. Given the potential benefits of elevated B12 levels in reducing stroke risk, as supported by the study published in Stroke 1, no specific treatment is needed to lower this elevated level, and it may be beneficial to maintain adequate B12 levels.
From the FDA Drug Label
Laboratory Tests Hematocrit, reticulocyte count, vitamin B12, folate and iron levels should be obtained prior to treatment.
The implications of a Vitamin B12 level of 1030.0 cannot be directly determined from the provided drug label, as it does not specify the normal or abnormal ranges for Vitamin B12 levels. 2
From the Research
Implications of a Vitamin B12 Level of 1030.0
- A Vitamin B12 level of 1030.0 is considered high, but its clinical significance is not entirely clear 3.
- High levels of Vitamin B12 are often of no clinical importance, but may be related to underlying conditions such as cancer 3.
- In some cases, high serum Vitamin B12 levels can be associated with neurologic disease, as seen in a case of subacute combined degeneration with high serum Vitamin B12 level and abnormal Vitamin B12 binding protein 4.
- The diagnosis and treatment of Vitamin B12 deficiency typically involve measuring plasma biomarkers such as total B12, holotranscobalamin, methylmalonic acid, and homocysteine 3.
- Treatment with pharmacological doses of Vitamin B12 can affect the measurement of total B12, making it less useful as a diagnostic tool 3.
Relevant Studies
- A study on the effects of Vitamin B12 on plasma melatonin rhythm in humans found that Vitamin B12 administration phase-advanced the circadian clock and increased light sensitivity 5.
- Another study compared the efficacy of oral, sublingual, and intramuscular Vitamin B12 treatments in children aged 0-3 years and found that sublingual methylcobalamin was as effective as oral and intramuscular cyanocobalamin in improving Vitamin B12 levels 6.
- A review of Vitamin B12-related biomarkers discussed the importance of measuring a combination of biomarkers, such as total B12 and methylmalonic acid, to establish a diagnosis and monitor treatment 3.