Vitamin B-12 is one of several important B vitamins that aids in food metabolism. Water soluble vitamins, like B-12, are generally safe, since you excrete any excess through urine. You are unlikely to ingest too much vitamin B-12 through food or supplements, as long as you are generally healthy, says the Office of Dietary Supplements. Having elevated B-12 levels is rare and may be a sign of a more serious underlying condition.
B-12 Levels
Vitamin B-12 is a powerful vitamin that, in addition to food metabolism, helps form new red blood cells, supports neurological function and synthesizes DNA, the genetic material within cells. Vitamin B-12 is the only water soluble vitamin that stays in your body, in your liver, for years. Normal B-12 levels should fall between 200 and 900 pg/mL, reports MedlinePlus. Having levels at or beyond the higher level may be a sign of chronic illness, such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, myeloid leukemia or other problems.
Cirrhosis
Since your liver stores B-12, having problems with your liver may cause elevated vitamin B-12 levels. Abnormal B-12 serum may be a sign of liver cirrhosis, which causes scar tissue to build up over normal healthy liver tissue. When this occurs it inhibits normal blood flow through your liver, disabling your liver's ability to block infections, remove toxins from your system, metabolize nutrients, produce bile and other functions. Cirrhosis stems from several sources, including alcoholism, drug use, hepatitis and hereditary disorders, just to name a few.
Hepatitis
Abnormal B-12 blood serum around 900 pg/mL may also be a warning sign of hepatitis, which causes your liver to swell, building up scar tissue. As with cirrhosis, drug and alcohol use increase your risk of hepatitis, but some strains of hepatitis may cause your own immune system to attack normally healthy cells and tissues. Most frequently, warning signs of hepatitis include jaundice, or yellowing of the skin, dark urine, pale stools and severe gastrointestinal distress.
Myeloid Leukemia
Having problems with red blood cell formation, a function of B-12, may lead to abnormally elevated B-12 serum levels. Myeloid leukemia is a type of cancer of blood and bone marrow, which causes abnormal red and white blood cells to form. These unhealthy cells, called leukemia cells, can lead to bleeding, anemia and a greater risk of infection, explains the National Cancer Institute. Smoking, previous chemotherapy treatment, exposure to radiation or having a history of blood disorders, each boost your risk of developing myeloid leukemia.
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