Because vitamin B-12 is water-soluble, meaning excess amounts of the vitamin leave the body in urine, high B-12 levels occur only rarely. Your doctor can determine your B-12 level with a blood test. Normal B-12 levels typically fall between 200 and 900 picograms per milliliter, or pg/mL, according to MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Values above 900 pg/mL indicate a high B-12 level. High B-12 levels may indicate the presence of a serious underlying health condition.
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Long-term liver damage caused by chronic liver diseases or long-term alcohol abuse can cause cirrhosis of the liver, a condition causing abdominal pain, jaundice, breast development in males, confusion, nausea and vomiting, edema and other symptoms. Cirrhosis can cause high levels of vitamin B-12 in the blood. Treatment for cirrhosis typically involves lifestyle changes, including abstinence from alcohol, limitation of salt intake and diet changes. In severe cases, patients with cirrhosis may require a liver transplant.
Hepatitis
Hepatitis, or swelling and inflammation of the liver, can occur as a result of viral infections, immune cell malfunctions, medication overdoses and liver damage from alcohol or other poisons. Hepatitis can cause high levels of vitamin B-12 in the blood. Symptoms of hepatitis include abdominal pain or distention, breast development in males, fatigue, dark urine, fever, jaundice, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, and weight loss.
Polycythemia Vera
Polycythemia vera, a myleroproliferative disorder affecting the bone marrow, causes an adnormal increase in the number of red blood cells.This increase leads to elevated B-12 levels in the blood. Symptoms of polycythemia vera include dizziness, difficulty breathing, excessive bleeding, enlarged spleen, headache, itchiness, shortness of breath, bluish skin color, red skin spots and vision problems. Treatments may include phlebotomy to decrease blood thickness, chemotherapy to reduce the number of red blood cells produced by the bone marrow, or aspirin to reduce the risk of blood clots.
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
Chronic myelogenous leukemia, another myeloproliferative disorder affecting the bone marrow, grows from cells thar produce white blood cells in the soft tissue of the bone marrow. This disease causes elevated B-12 levels in the blood. Symptoms of this disorder include bleeding and bruising, excessive sweating, fatigue, fever, swollen spleen and weakness. The medication known as Imatinib is typically the first treatment for chronic myelogenous leukemia, according to MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.
References
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Vitamin B-12 Level
- National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin B-12
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Cirrhosis
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Hepatitis
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Polycythemia Vera
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
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