Vitamin B-12 is required by the body. It plays a role in how the nervous system and the circulatory system function. B-12 is also associated with the liver in several ways. Not only is it plentiful in edible animal livers, but B-12 is also stored in your own liver until it is needed. Elevated B-12 levels are also common for people who have liver disease. Talk to your doctor for his recommendations before taking B-12 supplements.
Vitamin B-12
Vitamin B-12 plays a few important roles in the body. It helps make your cell's DNA, and also prevents certain types of anemia. You can find B-12 in a variety of foods, including dairy products, eggs and fish. In addition, it is commonly added to many fortified foods, such as cereals and breads. One of the best food sources of B-12, according to the National Institutes of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements, is beef liver. The average adult needs around 2.4 micrograms of B-12 daily, according to the NIH, although people with certain chronic digestive disorders may require even more. Many B-12 supplements are also available over the counter; they do not require a doctor's prescription.
B-12 and Your Liver
When your body absorbs B12 from food or supplements, it is stored in the liver until it is needed. Your liver can hold enough B-12 to sustain your needs for several years, although it is still possible to be deficient in vitamin B-12. Some medical conditions, such as digestive disorders that interfere with absorption or conditions that prevent you from being able to use your supply, may simulate a B-12 deficiency even if you get enough of the vitamin in your diet. A B-12 deficiency may cause any of the following symptoms. You will experience weakness, low blood pressure, difficulty walking, mood changes and forgetfulness. A blood test can determine whether your liver's B-12 stores are adequate.
Liver Damage and Disease
The average person's vitamin B-12 level falls somewhere between 200 and 900 picograms per ml, according to MedlinePlus. Your own B-12 level can be determined after a fasting blood test. While a low number indicates a B-12 deficiency, a reading of more than 900 picograms per ml may point to a liver disorder. Both cirrhosis and hepatitis can increase the level of vitamin B-12 in your blood. Hepatitis is caused by an infection in the liver, and cirrhosis is permanent liver scarring that can be caused by a variety of different chronic liver diseases. If your doctor suspects you have a liver disorder, he may check your B-12 levels as a starting point.
Guidelines
Vitamin B-12 is generally safe for most people, even when taken in its supplemental form. According to the NIH, B-12 has not been associated with any harmful effects to date. It can, however, cause some minor side effects such as itching, a rash or diarrhea. MayoClinic.com reports that vitamin B-12 supplements are not recommended for people who have optic nerve atrophy. Most other people, however, can safely take B-12 in amounts up to the daily recommended maximums. MayoClinic.com reports this amount ranges from 2.4 to 2.6 micrograms daily. Talk to your doctor before trying B-12 supplements.
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