Can a senior take too much B12?
Since B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, it's generally considered safe, even at high doses. No Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) has been established for B12, due to its low level of toxicity.
While the recommended daily amount of vitamin B-12 for adults is 2.4 micrograms, higher doses have been found to be safe. Your body absorbs only as much as it needs, and any excess passes through your urine. High doses of vitamin B-12, such as those used to treat a deficiency, might cause: Headache.
The amount of vitamin B12 that seniors should take depends on the level of need a given senior has; that's why it's important to involve medical professionals. In general, the recommended daily allowance is 2.4 mcg.
You might get frequent headaches if your vitamin B12 levels are too high. Elevated levels of this vitamin can also cause gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. You may feel tired and weak. High amounts of vitamin B12 can also cause you to feel like your hands and feet are tingling.
Not necessarily, but it's recommended you consult with your healthcare provider if you suspect you have an elevated B12 level. This is particularly important if you experience any symptoms of high B12 levels in blood, including [9]: Gastrointestinal issues (like nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea) Headaches.
Dosages for Older People
Around this age, you should be getting around 2.4 micrograms of B12 a day. Not only does this mean consciously eating foods that contain vitamin B12 but it also means that you should ingest this vitamin as a supplement. By taking supplements, you will ensure that your body absorbs vitamin B12.
Supplementing with vitamin B12 may be important for vegetarians, vegans, and older adults who may not absorb nutrients as easily. There is no upper limit for vitamin B12, and most supplements provide between 500 mcg to 5,000 mcg of B12 daily to meet various nutritional needs [2].
Vitamin B-12 is a water-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in the health of older adults. Vitamin B-12 is involved in making DNA, red blood cell formation, and proper nerve function1. While more research is needed, low vitamin B-12 levels have also been linked to increased bone fracture risk2.
Adults over 50 years of age should meet the Recommended Dietary Allowance by consuming vitamin B12 in the crystalline form, which does not require gastric acid or enzymes for initial digestion.
Even the lowest doses in B12 supplements are many times the recommended dietary allowance. Doses up to 1,000 mcg, though unnecessary, aren't harmful.
Who should not take B12?
Don't take vitamin B-12 supplements if you have sensitivities or allergies to vitamin B-12, cobalt, and any other ingredients. Vitamin B-12 is safe to take in recommended dosages if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.
Make sure you have your levels checked. To much b-12 can aggravate the nerves.
Gastrointestinal issues. A B12 deficiency may also cause diarrhea, nausea, constipation, bloating, gas, and other gastrointestinal symptoms ( 2 , 19 ). These issues can affect both adults and children ( 2 , 20 ).
Is 5000 mcg of B12 too much? A dosage of 5000 mcg of Vitamin B12 has been deemed a safe dosing amount. In fact, it is often recommended for those who have a health condition that affects their B12 absorption.
Usually, excess vitamin B12 is removed in the urine. Conditions that can increase B12 level include: Liver disease (such as cirrhosis or hepatitis) Myeloproliferative disorders (for example, polycythemia vera and chronic myelogenous leukemia)
Interactions between your drugs. No interactions were found between Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D3. However, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
A blood test showing a serum vitamin B12 level between 300 and 350 pg/mL is ideal for seniors, while anything between 200 and 900 pg/mL is considered normal. An elderly person should be getting 2.5 micrograms of B12 per day.
B-12: The B vitamin older people are most likely to need is vitamin B-12 because absorption of B-12 from foods can decrease with age, while B-12 from supplements is easier to absorb.
Water soluble vitamins, like B12, can be tolerated at higher doses without adverse effects upon the body, and the National Academy of Medicine has not established an upper limit of Vitamin B12 intake.
One 2010 study found that people with diabetic nephropathy (loss of kidney function due to diabetes) experienced a more rapid decline in kidney function when supplemented with high dose B vitamins, including 1 mg per day of B12 ( 7 ).
Can too much B12 cause eye problems?
Our results showed that high-dose vitamin B12 intake may cause optic neuropathy and play a role in the development of glaucoma, consistent with these previous studies on cobalt induced visual impairment and neuropathy.
A 5000 mcg (microgram) dosage of vitamin B12 is typically used to address a deficiency of this vitamin. Vitamin B12 is important for the production of red blood cells, neurological function, and DNA synthesis.
Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is naturally found in animal foods. It can also be added to foods or supplements. Vitamin B12 is needed to form red blood cells and DNA. It is also a key player in the function and development of brain and nerve cells.
Elevated cobalamin levels often accompany diseases such as leukemia, myeloproliferative disorders, hypereosinophilic syndrome, and metastatic cancer—especially when involving the liver.
1000 mcg is about 400 times as much as 2.4 mcg.
References
- https://www.visionpersonaltraining.com/expert-hub/expert-articles/health-and-nutrition/the-effect-of-caffeine-on-vitamin-absorption
- https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-1010/cyanocobalamin-vitamin-b-12-oral/details
- https://treadwell.com/blogs/how-long-do-the-benefits-of-a-vitamin-b12-injection-last/
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/are-you-getting-enough-b12
- https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/cyanocobalamin/
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/too-much-vitamin-b12
- https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/tests/vitamin-b12-level
- https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/health/12-signs-that-reveal-you-have-high-levels-of-vitamin-b12/3144173/
- https://www.webmd.com/diet/manage-b12-deficiency
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35337622/
- https://ivboost.uk/b12-vs-b-complex/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7073937/
- https://www.takecareof.com/articles/vitamin-b12-dosage-for-seniors
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322286
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-b12-dosage
- https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-3387/vitamins-b-complex-oral/details
- https://www.medicinenet.com/what_happens_if_you_take_too_much_vitamin_b12/article.htm
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-Consumer/
- https://www.buoyhealth.com/blog/supplements/best-vitamin-b12-supplement-seniors
- https://www.maecosmetics.com/images/uploads/guides/Download_Aftercare_VitaminB12.pdf
- https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/what-b-vitamin-complex-do-you-recommend-for-older-people/best-b-complex/
- https://betterhealthwhileaging.net/how-to-avoid-harm-vitamin-b12-deficiency/
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324856
- https://www.ebmconsult.com/articles/vitamin-b12-medication-interactions-lower-levels
- https://methyl-life.com/blogs/b-12/benefits-of-vitamin-b12-5000-mcg-for-your-brain-cognitive-function
- https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/vitamin-b12-side-effects
- https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/supplement/vitamin-b12-cobalamin
- https://www.defymedical.com/blog/how-quickly-do-b12-shots-work/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548710/
- https://redcliffelabs.com/myhealth/food-and-nutrition/food-for-overall-health/some-side-effects-of-vitamin-b12-if-taken-excessively/
- https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-60298/senior-vitamin-b-12-oral/details
- https://mobileivnurses.com/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-vitamin-b12-and-vitamin-b-complex/
- https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-828/vitamin-b-12-oral/details
- https://www.miamikidney.com/single-post/can-taking-a-lot-of-supplements-really-damage-the-kidneys
- https://agsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2005.53278_7.x
- https://www.griswoldhomecare.com/blog/2023/february/what-is-normal-level-of-vitamin-b12-in-elderly-a/
- https://plantbasedscotty.com/is-vitamin-b12-dosage-5000-mcg-safe/
- https://www.stlukes-stl.com/health-content/medicine/33/000987.htm
- https://aging.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Nutrition-Needs_Vitamin-B12_FINAL-2.18.pdf
- https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/super-b-complex-with-vitamin-b12-1661-5932-754-3756.html
- https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/what-to-know-about-vitamin-b12-dosage-for-older-adults
- https://www.uclahealth.org/news/ask-the-doctors-are-large-doses-of-b12-safe
- https://www.naturemade.com/blogs/health-articles/how-much-vitamin-b12-should-i-take
- https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-b12/
- https://www.insider.com/guides/health/diet-nutrition/vitamin-b12-overdose
- https://amandeephospital.org/blogs/benefits-of-vitamin-b12-for-hair/
- https://www.quora.com/What-is-vitamin-B12-5000-mcg-used-for
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/
- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/does-vitamin-b-12-help-with-neuropathy-of-the-feet/
- https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/vitamin-b12-with-vitamin-d3-754-3756-646-5790.html
- https://www.swintegrativemedicine.com/blog/vitamin-b12-absorption-problems
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-b-complex
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16958314/
- https://brainwellness.com/2013/04/is-there-a-vit-b50-what-is-difference-between-vitamin-b-50-complex-vs-b-100-complex/
- https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tuesday-q-a-vitamin-b-12-deficiency-more-common-with-increasing-age/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/vitamin-b-complex
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10149911/
- https://omegaquant.com/can-you-get-too-much-vitamin-b12/
- https://www.everlywell.com/blog/vitamins-supplements/how-much-vitamin-b12-should-a-person-over-65-take/
- https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-difference-between-2-4-mg-and-1500-mg-of-vitamin-B12-suggested-on-the-Internet
- https://www.naturemade.com/products/nature-made-vitamin-b12-2500-mcg-tablets
- https://www.goodrx.com/vitamin-b12/dosage
- https://www.quora.com/What-is-2-4-mcg-equivalent-to-Containers-are-labeled-1000-3000-mcg-or-5000-mcg
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22831-vitamin-b12-deficiency
- https://www.everlywell.com/blog/b-vitamins/high-vitamin-b12-levels-and-cancer/
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/best-time-to-take-vitamins
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-a-list-for-vitamin-b-12-sources
- https://www.goodrx.com/vitamin-b12/too-much-b12
- https://www.sharecare.com/health/vitamin-b12/what-drugs-foods-interact-vitamin-b12
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-b12-deficiency-symptoms
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-vitamin-b12/art-20363663
- https://goldcoastchiropractic.com/how-much-b12-is-needed-for-neuropathy/
- https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Made-Vitamin-2500-Tablets/dp/B005FKTYRA
- https://driphydration.com/blog/too-much-vitamin-b12-side-effects/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2781043/
- https://www.quora.com/If-you-take-1-000-micrograms-of-vitamin-B-12-how-much-is-that-compared-to-2-4-micro-grams
