Vitamin B12 is a nutrient that is crucial to the normal development of your red blood cells. The vitamin contributes to proper neurological function as well. Vitamin B12 is present in foods such as beef, milk, yogurt, cheese, several kinds of fish, fortified breakfast cereals, ham, eggs and chicken. Some people struggle to achieve their recommended daily intake of 2.4 mcg of vitamin B12. High vitamin B12 levels are not common in the general public, and may indicate underlying medical conditions.
Normal Levels
Vitamin B12 is measured in the unit picograms per milliliter, abbreviated as pg/mL. The nutrient is measured through a fasting blood draw; you will be instructed to refrain from eating for six to eight hours before the blood test. Normal levels of vitamin B12 range from 200 to 900 pg/mL. Readings higher than 900 pg/mL indicate higher-than-normal levels of B12.
Toxicity
Vitamin B12 is generally well tolerated, meaning that you can consume as much of the nutrient as you like without major risk of toxicity symptoms. Even if you include large quantities of foods rich in vitamin B12 in your diet, you are unlikely to experience high serum levels of the nutrient. Most healthy people eliminate B12 through urination and sustain normal blood levels of the vitamin.
Liver Disease
Liver disease can be an underlying cause for high vitamin B12 levels. Your liver has a variety of tasks within your body, including removing toxins from your body. Hepatitis, a state of inflammation and infection in your liver, and cirrhosis, a scarring of the organ, reduce your liver function. A decrease in liver function can lead to a buildup of toxins in your body, including excess vitamin B12.
Bone Marrow Disorders
Bone marrow disorders can be a cause of high vitamin B12 levels in your body. Vitamin B12 is responsible for the normal production of red blood cells. Abnormalities in red blood cell formation, including several kinds of leukemia that originate in the bone marrow, can cause your body to store more B12 than is normal. Chronic myelogenous leukemia is one form of cancer in which immature red blood cells grow more quickly than usual and increase your risk of bleeding and infection.
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