Table of Contents
What causes falsely elevated B12 levels?
Falsely elevated B12 levels can be caused by a variety of underlying conditions or medications. Some of the most common include kidney disease, certain types of cancers, liver disease, certain autoimmune diseases, and heavy alcohol use.
Certain medications, such as Metformin, can also cause falsely elevated B12 levels, due to the fact that it interferes with the absorption of vitamin B12. Other medications that can contribute to falsely elevated B12 include proton pump inhibitors, certain antibiotics, and certain anticonvulsants.
In addition, certain genetic conditions, such as kidney failure or inborn errors of metabolism, can cause falsely elevated B12 levels. Finally, people who don’t eat a wide variety of foods can be at an increased risk for falsely elevated B12 levels, due to the lack of dietary sources of vitamin B12.
It is important to consult your doctor to determine the cause of your falsely elevated B12 levels and get the appropriate treatment.
Can B12 blood test be inaccurate?
Yes, a B12 blood test can be inaccurate depending on the type of test being carried out. For instance, the total serum B12 test is not very accurate as it doesn’t measure the amount of B12 that’s available to be used by the body.
False negatives can also occur if the test measures too low of a level for a person who is actually deficient in B12. Conversely, levels that are too high may lead to false positives. A better test for measuring B12 levels is the serum active B12 test, which measures the amount of metabolically active B12 in the body, as opposed to the total B12.
The active B12 test is more accurate in determining B12 deficiency. In addition to blood tests, other diagnostic tools such as urine and saliva tests can be used to measure B12 deficiency. Ultimately, though inaccurate results do sometimes happen, a B12 blood test is generally accurate and reliable for diagnosing B12 deficiency.
Can you get a false positive for vitamin B12?
Yes, it is possible to get a false positive for Vitamin B12. This is because, sometimes, errors may occur during the testing process or incorrect measurements may be taken. Additionally, there are other medical conditions that can show up as a false positive for Vitamin B12, such as an overactive thyroid or certain types of cancer.
Certain medications, such as antibiotics, can also cause a false positive result on a Vitamin B12 test. In some cases, an injection containing Vitamin B12 may interfere with the results of a test for Vitamin B12, so it is important to inform your doctor beforehand if you have recently received such an injection.
If you get a false positive result on a Vitamin B12 test, it is likely that your doctor will want to conduct further tests to confirm the diagnosis.
When do you repeat vitamin B12 test?
It is typically recommended that Vitamin B12 levels be checked every 2-3 years, or more frequently if you are at risk of deficiency. Risk factors for Vitamin B12 deficiency include advanced age, vegan or vegetarian diets, gastric surgery (such as gastric bypass or bariatric surgery) and gastrointestinal disease.
People taking certain medications such as gastric acid blockers and proton pump inhibitors, and those with autoimmune diseases, such as pernicious anemia, are also at higher risk for deficiency. Therefore, people with these risk factors should speak with their doctors or dietitians about how often to get their Vitamin B12 levels checked.
What cancers cause high B12?
While increased levels of Vitamin B12 (also known as cobalamin) are most commonly associated with regular daily supplementation of the vitamin, a variety of different types of cancer can also cause high levels of B12 in the bloodstream.
One type of cancer that is associated with elevated B12 levels is tumors of the stomach or colon. This is due to the fact that these types of tumors can produce substances that interfere with the body’s regular metabolism of B12 leading to a build up of the vitamin in the bloodstream.
Other types of cancer that can cause high B12 levels include certain types of leukemia, liver cancer, and lung cancer.
In addition, certain medical treatments such as chemotherapy can also contribute to an increase in B12 levels as the treatment can decrease the body’s ability to absorb the vitamin which can cause it to accumulate in the blood.
It is important to keep in mind that while elevated levels of B12 can be caused by some types of cancer and cancer treatment, it is far more common to simply have elevated B12 levels due to dietary supplementation.
Therefore, if you are experiencing increased B12 levels and are worried that it is the result of cancer, it is important to talk with your doctor about being tested for cancer in order to rule it out.
How accurate is active B12 test?
The accuracy of an active B12 test depends on which type of active B12 test you are using and the quality of the materials being used. Generally, the active B12 test is a reliable way to measure your B12 levels as it measures the active form in your body rather than relying on a total B12 result which could be impacted by non-active forms.
The accuracy of the active B12 tests are usually very good if they are conducted by a certified laboratory and use higher quality materials such as liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. If a lower quality version of the test is used in a hospital, clinic, or laboratory the results may not be as reliable and should be verified with follow-up tests or an additional active B12 test.
Can infection cause high B12 levels?
No, an infection cannot typically cause high B12 levels. B12 levels are typically impacted by dietary intake and absorption, age, and genetic factors, but not an infection. High B12 levels are seen in cases of certain types of leukemia, as well as when a person is taking B12 supplements or injections, or if a person has some type of autoimmune condition.
This is because in autoimmune conditions, B12 produced by the body is not effectively absorbed into the blood stream, leading to high B12 levels in the bloodstream. It is possible for an infection to cause low B12 levels, however.
This occurs when the infection suppresses the absorption of absorbed B12 in the digestive system.
What are symptoms of high B12 in blood?
When a person has a high level of vitamin B12 in their blood, they may experience a range of symptoms. Usually, these symptoms will be related to neurological issues, as a high level of B12 can have an effect on the neurological system.
Symptoms can include things like confusion, difficulty concentrating, feeling weak or tired, balance issues or difficulty walking, difficulty coordinating movements, memory loss, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, and changes in mood or behaviour.
In some cases, a person with a high level of B12 in their blood may experience visual disturbances such as blurred vision or double vision. Additionally, some people may experience complications related to urinary or digestive systems, such as diarrhoea or constipation.
While these symptoms can occur due to other medical conditions, it is important to be aware of them in case they are a sign of elevated B12 levels.
Is it possible to have high B12 levels and still be deficient?
Yes, it is possible to have high B12 levels but still be deficient. B12 deficiency is defined as having a level of B12 below the normal range, which can range from 200-1100 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL) depending on the lab.
If the B12 levels are above the normal range, it does not necessarily mean that the person is not deficient. It is possible to have B12 deficiency even if blood tests show high levels of B12. This is because B12 deficiency is not only defined by blood tests, but also by symptoms and other laboratory tests such as MCV, homocysteine and MMA levels.
High B12 levels can sometimes be caused by taking too much B12 supplements or dietary changes. For this reason, it is important to work with your doctor to assess your overall health and possible B12 deficiency.
What causes B12 levels to drop?
A decrease in B12 levels can be caused by a variety of factors. Inadequate dietary intake of B12 or malabsorption of the vitamin can both lead to reduced levels of B12 in the body. Malabsorption can also occur due to certain health conditions such as celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, and bacterial overgrowth.
Taking certain medications like metformin and proton pump inhibitors can also decrease B12 levels. Switching to a vegan or vegetarian diet can also lead to B12 deficiency because plant-based foods don’t usually contain adequate amounts of the vitamin.
Age can also play a role in B12 levels, as the body tends to become less efficient at absorbing B12 as we age. Lastly, drinking too much alcohol can increase the body’s need for B12 yet decrease its ability to absorb the vitamin, resulting in a decrease in levels.
How quickly can B12 levels drop?
B12 levels can drop quite rapidly, depending on a person’s level of intake where the vitamin is concerned. B12 is used by the body for important things such as producing red blood cells and creating nerve cells.
For this reason, it’s important for the body to have a healthy level of B12 in it.
Without enough B12, muscle weakness, irregular heart rate, and other symptoms may appear quickly. A decrease in red blood cell count, anemia, and tingling in the hands and feet may also occur.
In those who are at risk for a B12 deficiency, such as the elderly, vegans, and those with gastrointestinal disorders, monitoring their B12 levels is often recommended. It is important to note that a deficiency of B12 is also linked to certain nutritional deficiencies, such as a lack of animal products or certain fruits and vegetables.
If a person does not consume enough B12, their body’s levels of the vitamin can become very low within just a few weeks. However, it is important to note that it can take anywhere from 6 months to years for a person’s levels to significantly decrease, based on their levels of dietary intake.
Therefore, it is important to be mindful of one’s diet and supplement intake to ensure that their B12 levels do not become dangerously low.
What medications can lower B12?
Certain medications can interfere with the absorption of vitamin B12, leading to a vitamin B12 deficiency. These medications include:
1. Metformin (used to treat type 2 diabetes)
2. Chloramphenicol (antibiotic)
3. PPI (proton pump inhibitor) drugs
4. Colchicine (used for gout)
5. Anti-seizure medications, such as phenytoin and barbiturates
6. Anti-tuberculosis drugs such as isoniazid
7. H2 blockers or ranitidine (used to treat heartburn)
8. Proton inhibitors and H2 blockers for acid reflux
9. Methotrexate (drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune conditions)
10. Loop diuretics (e.g. furosemide) used in the treatment of hypertension and edema
11. Antifolate drugs (e.g. sulfasalazine), used in the treatment of arthritis
12. Nitrous oxide, sometimes used as an anesthetic.
It is important to talk to your doctor or pharmacist to make sure that any medications you are taking are not interfering with your vitamin B12 levels.
Why is my B12 low all of a sudden?
Common causes include dietary deficiencies, medical conditions that affect the absorption of B12 from food, or the body’s own inability to make enough B12.
If you are not eating enough foods that are high in B12 such as animal products, fortified foods, or dietary supplements, you may not be getting enough B12 through your diet. This can lead to a deficiency.
Another potential cause is a medical condition that affects your ability to absorb B12 from food. This could include a gastrointestinal disorder such as Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, or an autoimmune disorder that affects the stomach cells responsible for B12 absorption.
Additionally, there are some medical conditions that can decrease the body’s own ability to produce B12. These conditions include endocrine disorders, kidney disease, anemia, and pernicious anemia.
Finally, certain medications can interfere with B12 absorption and lead to a deficiency. These include certain antibiotics, acid-reducing medications, and anticonvulsants.
If you are concerned about your B12 levels, it is important to talk to your doctor. They can help to diagnose and treat the underlying cause of your low levels.
Should I be worried if my B12 is low?
Yes, it can be a cause for concern if your B12 levels are considered to be low. B12 is an important vitamin that plays a role in many body functions including the formation of red blood cells and the maintenance of the nervous system.
Deficiency in B12 can lead to a number of serious health problems such as anemia, nerve damage, impaired memory and concentration, and even depression. All of these issues can wreak havoc on your life and can be difficult to reverse in some cases.
If you think your B12 levels are low, it’s best to consult with a doctor and get tested as soon as possible. Depending on the results, they may recommend supplements or dietary modifications. Taking these steps can help ensure that your B12 levels remain in a healthy range.
