Vitamin B-12, also called cobalamin, is a water-soluble vitamin needed by the body to maintain nervous system functions and to form red blood cells. Adults and teenagers need 2.4 micrograms of vitamin B-12 a day through dietary sources or supplements, according to MedlinePlus. (Ref. 4) No interactions between vitamin B-12 and hormone replacement therapy have been reported but you should always discuss the medications you take with your health care provider before beginning any treatment regimen.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Normally healthy people who eat a balanced diet get enough B-12 through animal proteins such as meat, eggs, poultry, shellfish and milk. However, you may need to take vitamin B-12 supplements if you follow a strict vegetarian or vegan diet or if surgery, age or digestive disorders such as celiac disease or Crohn's disease interfere with your ability to absorb the vitamin properly. Symptoms of vitamin B-12 deficiency can include weakness, fatigue, constipation, loss of appetite, weight loss, anemia, balance disturbances and numbness and tingling in the extremities.
Hormones
The various glands throughout your body secrete chemical substances called hormones that control specific bodily functions. For example, the pancreas secretes insulin, the hormone that regulates your blood sugar. The ovaries produce hormones called estrogen and progesterone that control a woman's reproductive system. The testes produce testosterone, the hormone that controls the male reproductive system. The other hormone-producing glands in your body include the thyroid, pituitary, hypothalamus, pineal, parathyroid, thymus and the adrenal glands.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Treatment for hormone deficiencies often involves replacement therapy in the form of hormone pills or injections. For example, if you have Type 1 diabetes mellitus, your pancreas does not produce insulin so you must take this hormone by injection to regulate your blood sugar. Some women need replacement therapy by pill or injection for menopause-related symptoms caused by decreased levels of estrogen. Other types of hormone replacement therapy include growth hormone for small stature in children and levothyroxine for a poorly functioning thyroid.
Vitamin B-12 Deficiency
Vitamin B-12 toxicity is not a concern when taking supplements because the body excretes any excess through the urine. There have been no reports of adverse effects from excess vitamin B-12 whether you obtain it through food or through supplements, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Medications that might reduce vitamin B-12 absorption or efficacy include the antibiotic chloramphenicol, proton pump inhibitors prescribed for gastroesophageal reflux disease and peptic ulcer disease, histamine H2 receptor antagonists used to treat stomach ulcers, and metformin, a medication used to treat Type 2 diabetes. There have been no documented cases of adverse interactions between hormone and vitamin B-12 replacement therapies.
