Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that, once it is used by the body, the body discharges the remaining amounts through the urine. Vitamin B12 is essential for the proper functioning of the body, since it intervenes in bodily processes such as in the metabolization of proteins, the regulation of the functions of the central nervous system and in the formation of red blood cells, which are responsible for carry oxygen throughout the human body.
Just as a deficiency of this vitamin can wreak havoc on the body, its excess in the blood can also be lethal. The main source of vitamin B12 is food, especially protein and commercial vitamin supplements. The normal values of this vitamin in blood range between 200 to 900 picograms per milliliter (pg / ml), when the concentration exceeds this margin it is necessary to see a doctor. If you are wondering why I have high vitamin B12 , in this FastlyHealarticle you can find some of the possible causes.
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Why am I high in vitamin 12: hematological disease?
High levels of vitamin B12 can be the consequence of some blood disease, specifically the disorders known as chronic myeloid leukemia and polycythemia vera, conditions that are characterized by an excessive production of blood cells.
Chronic myeloid leukemia
It is a type of cancer that begins in the bone marrow, the tissue where blood cells are made. This disease primarily causes uncontrollable production of immature blood cells that create a type of white blood cell called myeloid cells. The main cause of this cancer is an abnormality in the Philadelphia chromosome and, in general, this pathology is associated with inflammation of the spleen, excess platelets, bruises and small red nuggets on the skin known as petechiae.
Policitemia vera
It is a disorder that occurs when the bone marrow produces too many red blood cells , and it can also be accompanied by altered levels of white blood cells and platelets. This pathology is very strange and is more common in men than in women. Its cause is unknown and it is associated with a mutation in the JAK2 gene. Dizziness, excessive bleeding, shortness of breath, headache, swollen spleen, and itching after a hot shower are some of its symptoms.
In these diseases, it is common that there is an altered level of vitamin B12 in the blood because there is also an increase in the carrier protein of this vitamin.
Liver disease
The liver is the main place in the body where vitamin B12 is stored, for this reason altered levels of this vitamin can also be a symptom of cirrhosis or hepatitis . Alcoholism wreaks chronic havoc on the liver that is also linked to an increase in B12 in the blood.
When the liver is very ill, either due to alcoholism, cirrhosis or hepatitis, vitamin B12 is released that was previously stored by liver cells that have died, but it can also happen that the malfunction of the liver prevents it from eliminating B12 from the body.
Renal disease
The kidneys are essential for the functioning of the human body, among its main functions is to process and destroy all those toxic substances that will be purified from the body through urine. As we mentioned earlier, excess B12 should be eliminated naturally through urine. However, when there is a kidney complication that prevents the proper function of the kidneys or prevents urination, the levels of vitamin B12 can rise because the excess is not being eliminated from the body . Diabetic nephropathy and kidney failure are diseases associated with high levels of vitamin B12 in the blood.
In this article you will discover the signs that your kidneys are not working well .
Cancer
This cause is much less common than the previous conditions, but in some cases the concentration of B12 in the blood is an indicator of some types of cancer , such as liver, breast, gastrointestinal, prostate and kidney cancer. This is because the protein that this vitamin carries is made in these organs and it is believed that an increase in the release of this protein occurs during cancer.
High blood vitamin B12 symptoms and treatment
Symptoms of excess B12 can vary depending on the origin of the disorder. However, intoxication due to high consumption of this complex can manifest itself as follows:
- Itching and skin rashes .
- Vomiting and nausea
- Difficulty to sleep.
- Headache and dizziness.
- Diarrhea and stomach pain.
- Palpitations and nervousness.
It is very unlikely that vitamin B12 is altered by excessive consumption of this nutrient through diet. Therefore, the treatment for this disorder will be to find the pathology or disorder that is causing it so that the necessary medications and procedures can be found to normalize the values.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.