Update: B12 shots have recently become unavailable online due to regulations. Until now. I partnered up with Oxford Biosciences to give you the best vitamin B12 supplement.
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Vitamin B12 is great. It helps form red blood cells. It is crucial to the synthesis and repair of DNA and the myelin sheath, a layer safeguarding our nerves. It also aids optimizing our homocysteine levels, decreasing our risk of blood clotting and heart attack. But can we actually have too much B12?
That’s what this post is about.
Can too much vitamin B12 hurt you? Can it not? Is vitamin B12 toxicity a scary possibility, or can we just continue injecting ourselves with huge doses with no mercy? Here’s everything you need to know about vitamin B12 overdose.
Vitamin B12 Overdose Symptoms & Side Effects
Can you take too much B12?
Short answer: No.
Certain vitamins can harm you when taken in excess, specifically fat-soluble vitamins like A and K which will build up in your fat stores. Vitamin B12, however, is water soluble and will be flushed out in your urine if taken in excess. Therefore, there are no vitamin B12 overdose symptoms.
The recommended daily dose is very low, about 2-3µg, yet many supplements deliver hundreds or thousands of µg per dose. This is no mistake. There’s a reason no upper limit for B12 levels has been set by The Food and Nutrition Board.
Consider this:
B12 (the methylcobalamin form) has been used in ultra-high doses (25 to 50 thousands of µg doses!) to prolong survival of ALS patients and aid patients with peripheral neuropathy and chronic axonal degeneration. It is also used in huge amounts to detoxify cyanide poisonings.
We’re talking here about 25,000 or 50,000µg doses. That’s more than 10,000 times higher than the recommended daily limit, yet it still causes no excess vitamin B12 toxicity symptoms.
Summary: Can You Have Too Much B12?
Can you overdose on B12?
No.
No matter if you inject yourself or consume a ton of vitamin B12 foods every day, any vitamin B12 excess will be excreted in your urine. My point?
Don’t worry, and enjoy the benefits of B12.
Thank you for the information sir. But can you take too much vitamin b12 — not because of toxicity — but because of excess b12 wasted through the urine? Supplements aren’t cheap where I come from, and I’m afraid to taking too much b12 vitamin doses and getting the same effectiveness as if I took smaller doses. Your advice appreciated.
Yes, absolutely. While vit B12 toxicity is no issue, you can get wasteful with your supplementation. That’s why I recommend smaller, more frequent doses instead of large weekly doses (for example, daily 1,000mcg instead of weekly 10,000mcg doses, especially with injections — which are already less wasteful than any other form of B12). This will help you get less excess of vitamin B12 in your urine.
Someone at my hosptal has a rare condition of too much b12. They are trying to figure out why. Any answers
I read in the Mayo Clinic web site that B12 is stored in the body and can cause symptoms when too high.
High doses of vitamin B-12, might cause:
Dizziness
Headache
Anxiety
Nausea
Vomiting
Hey Renee,
I hope you will read this :) I just read your reply about someone lying in the hospital with a rare condition of havin too high levels of B12? Do you know the name of that condition? 2,5 years ago I had a B12 “intoxication”: 1 week after taking quick-melt tablets I collapsed and had about 40 symptoms. Before that week I felt alive and healthy for about 95% and after that 1 week of B12 tablets (high dosis tablets) I felt scarcely alive. For 1,5 years I was afraid I would die from that condition. I’m still not sure what happened and why that high dosis of B12 cause these extremes symptoms for me. Thanks.
Hello, I’m also interested to find out more about this condition. I had a severe reaction a little over a year ago. Broke out in a rash that got worse over the days and severe itching and pain. Long story short after visits to my general doctor then dermatologist, no one could figure out what was causing this. It got so bad I ended up in the ER. I asked about B vitamins but was told not possible to have this kind of reaction. It wasn’t until I stopped taking my B vitamin supplement did the rash start to clear up. A year and a half later and I still notice sensitives when having energy drinks or if I try to take a multivitamin
Currently my 3 year old has been very sick,we wanted to make sure she was not low on her B12 but to our surprise she has 1,200 which is high,we are very scared now
Yes,it also nerves break down too. I. Infants it is v hazards. PL see other usa drug Dept recommendation & prevention
That’s what I’m feeling right now and I took vitamin b12
Yes that’s true, I don’t know why people think b12 overdose will not cause side effects, I overdosed by taking injection and sublingual and got my neves stimulated, severe headache, anxiety, restlessness, nervousness, insomnia. Now I have to take anxiety supps to control this nerve stimulation.
I just found out a year later it was extremely extra sulfur in my body its sooooooo painful I still don’t know how to get rid of it I feel like I’m dying slowly doctors are animals no one helps or cares I found out on my own I ate a cow liver and all the allergies came back just like when I took the b12
It’s been a year and everyday different pain my eyes r killing me my whole body is dry especially my face and eyes and hands
It’s The extra sulfur they probably don’t need the B vitamins or B12 because that’s what happened to me
Maris
How do you feel now please answer
I was injected with overdose of B12. What should I do? Is it harmful? My count is more than 8000.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31018715
Toxicity of high doses of vitamin B12
If you’re not deficient of exhibiting signs of deficiency, then don’t take it.
For those of you needing to flush it out of your system:
1) Lots of water (its water soluble)
2) Stop all sources of B12, milk , meat, eggs
3) Exercise so you can sweat it out…
Check a doctor. Unfortunately if they don’t have the experience with this then they cant help you.
My hair was falling out in excess due to high levels of B12 (my level was 1500+. I stopped taking my supplements immediately and just waiting for my hair to stop falling out. It’s terrifying!!
Thank you so much
Plz Answer
I read drink a lot if water. I accidentally took 10,000 mcg B-12 (cyanocobalamin) for three days and I could see again. Clear sight, no double vision, great energy, and no myalgic pain. ? I was initially picked but realized those are good results. I felt normal. I don’t know how long I can do this for. I stopped and after 1 day my vision was poor again and constant nerve pain returned. I have ordered more more. I’m in shock. Accidental finding.
8000 seems like wayyyyyy too high -i guess the standard is 700(it’s in hundreds,not thousands)
I just got over anaphylaxis injectable B12 ( my fault shouts do 1x a week and not every day !!! ) 5x the recorded amount!!!
Yes it’s toxic in very high doses … my through swell up shut … luckily I have a epi pen for bee sting …. But didn’t put 2and 2 together ugh ….
I was just wondering if you have kidney issues can b12 be toxic? The cyano kind is what I take because my b12 dropped so low to 58
I’m 24 years old
What if I’m pregnant? Can you overdose on vitamin b12 if your’e pregnant? thanks!!!!! Please answer fast.
There are no side effects of too much b12 whatsoever. You should be more worried about not having enough B12 — rather than too much — when pregnant. It is extremely important for the development of your child.
Have an easy, safe pregnancy.
Wrong
Exactly. I’m with you int that this article is wrong and reckless advice.. You absolutely can have symptoms of having too much vitamin B12 in your system and it has been well documented. I personally went through this about a year ago. My blood levels were over 3000. My symptoms were headaches, nausea and muscle spasms. I was supplementing sublingually. I stopped and within 30 days levels dropped to 1500 and symptoms disappeared. Vitamin b12 is also stored in the liver for up to 3 years and released when needed. Before just supplementing test your levels….overdosing may not kill you (so therefor be safe so to speak) but there are definitely a possibility of having side effects.
This is totally inaccurate. My body doesn’t methylate B12 correctly, and therefore I can’t take anything with higher than normal amounts of B12 in it without serious side effects. Your consistent insistence that it does no harm – ESPECIALLY to a pregnant woman – is irresponsible and dangerous.
That’s true, I got headache, anxiety, insomnia, nervousness, nausea from overdosing on methylcobalamin sublingual lozenges
Do you still take
Im having thoses symptoms really bad ?? How long did ot last ?? My doctor gave me 1 injection of it ??
How r u feeling now
Wrong horrific side effects
How could you say that I feel like I’m dying slowly vitamin B 12 is the worst
Hey ,if your body is not able to flush the excess due to liver or kidney issues or diabetes too much can really cause trouble please consult your dr
I agree, I have read on quite a few websites, including the mayo clinic’s, that it’s possible to take too Much but b12, symptoms Inc dizziness, which I am experiencing big time. Think it’s important that people are aware of the possible side effects.
That’s true, even I overdosed on b12 and got dizziness, anxiety, nervousness, insomnia, restlessness, severe headache, and if it is taken too frequently can lower potassium levels causing irregular heart beat and what not, anything related to heart.
That’s where I’m at right now. Started taking a high potency b complex every morning and after two weeks I’m finally realizing it’s waaay too high a dose and quitting as of today. I’m suddenly itchy all over (especially spots on my scalp, around my eyes/eyelids, and spots on arms, feet, stomach. Haven’t changed shampoo or soap or diet), having bad light-headedness, dizziness, feeling exhausted at times for no apparent reason and random nausea and nasty poops where before I was totally regular and fine… Been reading all over and too much b 12 seems to a culprit. Hoping it doesn’t take a long time to get this excess out of my system. You absolutely CAN have too much b 12.
How do you feel now? I’m going through these symptoms. Any answers please.
How come no one reply on this app
What doctor I went to soooo many doctors no one cares they laugh at u doctors don’t want anybody sick
Hi,
I recently contracted shingles and decided to take high doses of Vitamin B12 sublingual and also an injection. Following this input of Vitamin B12, I have experienced severe numbness and muscle cramps in both legs, I am a fit runner and only mid 40’s. This has led me to believe that Vit B12 caused these leg symptoms…any comments appreciated.
Rob
Rob I have read that these symptoms were normal after a deficiency because it’s related to the nerves starting to heal. Just continue treatment and after a few weeks it will get better. See it like that: you had a problem but you weren’t feeling it, the body starts to correct the problem and as nerves are involved you suddenly just feel it more while it is getting better
Hi, just wondered if your symptoms have gone? I’m also experiencing numbness after b12 injections and no one is taking me seriously when I mention about side effects. No one replies or updates on here
Had to much b12. Stiff all over, numbing in hands and feet haven’t had a shot in 4 months. Feel like I’ve been ran over.
The manufacturers warnings for the shots states that there are side effects and your symptoms are consistent.
Since the doctors cant help you, do your own research and find out how to treat it. Most doctors don’t have the experience to treat conditions unless its something they deal with.
A couple doctors told me flat out they don’t know how to treat b12 deficiency so I did my research and went to my doctor with the case studies and we were able to work together.
If it were a deficiency I could send you my notes, since its not you need to do the research. What I can tell you is Neuropathy has to be treated as soon as possible to prevent permanent damage.
Research now and get a doctor to work with you since they may be able to assist in determining if your symptoms are worsening or not
How r u feeling
Sorry to hear about the lack of interest in replying. I think no one has a good answer. No one really knows. All you can do is something different and see if your symptoms subside. I am deficient and taking B12 to get back to normal but my wife is extremely high in B12. Perhaps her body can’t pass it although her kidneys and liver numbers are in the normal range. If your too high just stop taking supplements and drink a lot more water than you can stand until you feel better. Trial and error may work when doctors can’t.
Thank you so much
I too experienced this and much more. It is indeed possible to overdose on b12.
Hi my name is Noal I took two injections of B12 in one week that was an October 10 I am still sick since that day I went to the ER eight times I changed three doctors no one believes that it’s from B12 my muscles are twitching my back is hurting me every time I take medicine I get sicker and sicker I’m allergic to sulfa now I was never allergic to anything I was super fine they don’t know what’s wrong with me my jaw hurts my eyes I feel like I’m dying slowly
I started a new supplement with a high content of Vitamin B12 a week before having blood work done for a neurologist appt. At the appointment I was told to stop taking immediately because it was causing Neuropathy in my right leg, feet and hands. This can cause a disconnect between the brain and the feet.
Have you had skin itching and burning symptoms randomly on your body as well.
Yes its terrible at night.
I am having this right now
Lamar- It seems the symptoms of being very low in B12 are the same symptoms of being way too high. My wife itches, burning internally and on the skin, dizziness, has leg cramps, etc. Doctors have treated for allergies, inflammation and other things, none of which worked. She was recently diagnosed with very high B12. Since doctors don’t think high B12 is not a problem, we will see. Get a B12 test and stop taking supplements if it is high. You might want to try a vegan diet until you know if doing so brings your B12 levels down.
I started taking high amounts of B12(6,000 iu) because my naturopath suggested it and I ended up with Neuropathy!!!! Numbness tingling burning pain in feet!!!!!!! The specialist doctor said to go off the B12because it has caused nerve damage!!!!!! It will never go away!!!!!! My life is pure hell so people pay attention, too many vitamins is not good
B12 needs other B vitamins in order to work properly, and most B vitamins use riboflavin as a cofactor. Try a good quality multi B or take them separately like I do. I do this in order to get the exact form of the vitamin that I think is best, and to minimize added junk in the capsules. Vitamin B-6 in the form of Pyridoxal-5-phosphate helps some people with neuropathy.
B12 also needs minerals in order to work properly without causing things like muscle cramps and twitching, headaches, migraines, heart palpitations. B12 uses up potassium, magnesium, zinc, and sulfur in order to be effective in the pathways in the body. Many pathways interconnect. If you have any of these symptoms, or any that are related to these, it could be due to low minerals &/or lack of the other B vitamins, and not the B12 itself. I take minerals with every meal, potassium, zinc with copper, and magnesium. I also take organic sulfur crystals dissolved in water twice a day, morning and afternoon (it does not taste good!).
I am not a doctor or a biochemist, but this is what I’ve learned from “experimenting” on myself and my family.
I wish you all the best and hope this helps.
Thank you, this information makes clear sense. I will look into the sulfur too.
Hi,
If you caught it in time, your body will heal but it will take time. Go online, check vitamins needed to heal neuropathy. Vit E, D.
I think its also the form of B12. If its cynanocobalamin, the side effects are horrible. Also if it has high doses of B6.
Stop immediately and symptoms should alleviate slowly.
If you are not deficient, and supplementing is having adverse effects then you do not need to supplement.
You need to know your own bodies because a lot of times the doctors cant help you since they do not have access to the latest research.
Good morning I’m linda, my elderly mother was feeling weak and tired so she has been getting b12 shots, she started falling and pain on legs and back, took to her dr. We don’t know what is causing this
Today she has another Drs appt. And dr. said she will send mom to get an MRI. I started doing research on the shots of b12 and I’m thinking it could be that. I’m here, or at [email protected] thank you any information you might have will be greatly appreciated . God bless?
In my blood work the vitamin b12 level is 746pmol/L. It is marked as not normal. I am taking vitamin b12 1000mcg daily since from 1 year. Now i am worrying how it will come to normal and reversible?
Yes, b12 overdosed caused me severe headache, leg cramps, nervousness, anxiety, insomnia. Actually those leg cramps could be due to potassium loss. Injection taken frequently will lower potassium levels, so drs advise us to take coconut water, bananas etc
I just had shingles for the third time. I thought I was going to die. To stile my comfort and my ete sight. I took high B13 accidentally and I could see again and no leg pain or any pain for that matter. I was in shock. I went from feeling like this is what is going to kill me to being alive again in 3 days. Wow.
I’m a very healthy active 42yr old woman. I recently started having bad muscle spasms out of nowhere :( I then went to get all my blood work done to see if there was something internally wrong inside my body. Well the last thing I expected to come back high was my B12 level and that’s exactly what my results showed….I have read that too much B12 can interfere with the nerves and that’s exactly what has happened to me. I went to see a Neurologist and the results were that I had nerve damage:( I’m now trying to find ways to flush my b12 out my body. If anyone knows how to do this please let me know.
Hi, I accidently took a double dose of B12 vitamin pills, because I’m used to taking a lower dose. The next day my face and neck broke out in hives and has remained for 2 days. I looked this up, and this appears to be a side effect people experience.
I feel like it’s a discomfort worth noting, so people will be careful. Thanks.
A lot of the comments seem to share similar experiences and symptoms associated from what is believed to be a toxic level of B12. Unfortunately, I can’t answer your queries directly, and I am not a Dr., but let me suggest regardless, it isn’t possible within the scope of this commentary to provide the answers you seek. The fact is, without more details, comparison and contrast of different cases, etc. , it isn’t even plausible to provide an educated guess on a conversational level. However, even with a casual look at some of the info provided two things certainly stand out: vitamin B12 is water soluble and therefore unlikely to cause any lasting negative effects (or positive for that matter, which is why it is necessary to repeat one’s dose on a fairly regular schedule), and second, many of the negative side effects described by others in this section bear a strong resemblance to symptoms of allergic reaction, which ultimately can be attributed to any number of variables present at the time of B12 ingestion. For example, let’s say the B12 consumption in question was not delivered by injection but instead in the form of a tablet which will also contain any other number of ingredients for fillers, binders, colouring, etc., and which some may be sensitive to. If B12 is ingested in a multivitamin form instead, the list of potential sources for a reaction becomes quite formidable. In fact, the B3 vitamin, Niacin, is well known to cause some similar complaints mentioned here when taken in doses not much higher than what is normally provided in most multivitamin or complete B complex formulas. I hope this gives some insight into the problematic nature of pinpointing cause and effect within the constraints of this environment and without much broader and more detailed data, but perhaps offers some additional points to ponder while continuing the quest for answers. Best wishes for good health!
I had a hemicolectomy I 1984 and take B-12 shots. The slow melt tabs or any vitamin 12 pill in mouth are useless . Vitamin 12 destroyed before it reaches blood stream. Must take with needle. If taking as a part of a diet routine they put a bunch of other stuff in it. This caused my 100 pound sister to have many undue symptoms. She asked them and then they said. It was a diet enhancer including B-12 and homer things like honey?, etc.
I am betting all of you got sick from slo-melts and shots DID not have pure Vitamin .B-12. But a mixture of untested and unneeded items that were useless and you were allergic too.
My doctors said No B-12 by mouth!!!!
Is methylcobalamin better than cyanocobalamin?
Yes, if you’re interested why read my article on methylcobalamin vs cyanocobalamin.
Does Mecobalamin exhibit blood thinning properties and oozing of blood?
Please help I TOOK 1000 mcg for 10 days and I’m numb all over ..fatigue anxiety ..even my neck injury doesn’t hurt ..I think NERVE DAMAGE
Hi Emily,
Have your symptoms gone ? I’m experiencing the same
Hi,
I think its also the form of B12. If its cynanocobalamin, the side effects are horrible. Also if it has high doses of B6.
Stop immediately and symptoms should alleviate slowly. If you are not deficient, and supplementing is having adverse effects then you do not need to supplement.
You need to know your own bodies because a lot of times the doctors cant help you since they do not have access to the latest research.
I took 10000 mcg a day for past 30 days,I thought I was getting sick because I was nauseous and puking alot, I just figured stomach virus. Turns out I didn’t read recommended dosage and it was the B12 causing it. Plus itching of my skin and uncontrollable leg spasms.
I disagree. I just discovered I am homozygous MTHFR and my doctor had my increasing my Methylcobolamin by 1000mcg every week. When I got to 400mcg, I had terrible headaches, my head felt like a balloon blowing up, and I developed hives, anxiety, and nausea. Yes, B12 can have side effects.
I WAS DIAGNOSED IN 2014 WITH CLL. SINCE THEN M Y b12 IS VERY HIGH AT 1200. IS THIS BECAUSE OF THE CLL? I THIS NORMAL?
Possibly you are not absorbing the B12. Or you may need a different form. Just a thought.
What is CLL?
I have been taking 2000mcg of vit b12 pills a day for sciatic nerve pain and 300 mcg of vitb 6.
It has helped this pain ( doctor recomended. Bur for a week or so head pain, pressure and numbness, prickling on my face.
Any thoughts?
B6 is neurotoxic. 300mcg is a massive gigantic dose of B6. At this point any issues you have have a high chance of being vitamin b6 toxicity.
How do you feel right now
Check the other ingredients in the B12 supplements especially the liquid drops. Some of them have preservatives, potassium sorbate, food colorings, etc., that may be causing reactions if you have sensitivities.
Ina e been having B12 shots for many years and wonder if my itching on my arms and legs is caused by too much B12?
I’m in big trouble after taking B12 supplements for years. My levels are off the scale and yet I am healthy in other respects.
This has caused severe itching. I have left off B12 for a month now and still not improved.
Hot skin and face and irritated eyes Having to use anti itch creams cold showers and ice packs to get through the day.
Drinking heaps of water and eating less dairy and having green leafy veggies to help my body along with this nightmare.
Hi Lyn
Has your itching improved since your last post.
Was taking a supplement with high b12 but only for several months. Have had facial and body itching since. Quit taking several days ago and hoping symptoms go away.
How r u feeling please answer
Has your itch improved??? How long did it take?
im a compound hetero for mthfr. my b12 levels are 4x the normal range. i was taking cyanocobalamin for years not knowing that it was actually bad for me. i have switched my b12 to hydroxy (since finding out about mthfr) since i also have vdr and comt mutations. how can i detox b12 so i can start using the good kind efficiently?
Niacin
I’ve been taking methyl b complex and ended up with severe diarrhoea and optic neuritis. I had some unrelated health problems but was basically fine before I started taking it but apparently my liver needed ‘support’ according to a nutritionist. I’m pretty certain it’s the vitamin b complex as I had diarrhoea every day for a month while taking it and within 2 days of stopping it had completely gone back to normal, and my eye is getting better.
I think it’s dangerous to state there are absolutely no side effects from overdosing on a vitamin when the possibility of nerve damage and other symptoms from b vitamins are widely discussed on the internet and clearly many people have experienced them. At the very least, this article should advise people to confirm they have a deficiency before taking it.
I agree with you. After taking 2000 mcgs of b12 daily for 2 years I developed neuropathy in my feet, tingling and burning. My b12 level is 1200. I am going to stop taking it and hope the symptoms are reversed. I have been tested for everything else including diabetes and it comes up negative.
Did you recover ?
If you have a high b12 test and took a supplement is the test valid?
Hi! How much µicrograms are 2500 IU?
Can you overdose on B12 if it’s not Methylcobalamin you’re taking?
We need to trust our inner sense and honor it if something feels like too much.
It is possible for anything to be done to excess. Anything. Even water.
Hi! I occasionally get migraines and used to break out in oral herpes maybe a few times a year. The herpes hasn’t really happened in a year and a half, and the migraines have been fairly mild. This week, though, I’ve drastically increased my supplementation of B-Complex (the B12 is 50000 times the daily value). I’ve had migraines like never before (full vision loss rather than partial, cotton mouth, nausea, dizziness), a herpes outbreak (just the sores but none of the normal systemic symptoms, high anxiety, nausea all week, super sensitivity to natural energy drinks, fatigue, hand numbness while asleep, sore throat, and jaw pain. I eat keto and do intermittent fasting (haven’t done IF this week). My husband and I are trying to conceive so it’s worrying us. We’re natural minded, and every doctor just wants to load me up on pills. I stopped the B-Complex yesterday.
I have been taking Vitamin B-12 for a while now. The first times were because my Blood Platelet reading was low and it perked it right up.
It also helps to stimulate your brain among other positive results. Recently
I started taking a new multi-vitamin 1,000 mcg and when I checked the B-12 content it was 41,667% of my daily serving requirement. I had also been taking a B-12 pill 100 mcg (1667% of my daily serving requirement.
Both of these contain cyanide. I also started taking arm of B-12 (no cyanide) and it has2500 mcg (104,170% of my daily serving requirement) to replace my first version. Now my Blood Platelet count has dropped over 40 points below the bottom of the norm.
How much b12 is too much if I’m pregnant?
I have weakness of my limbs, sometimes painful in the night , numbness and almost lose of balance whilst walking for a while.I have diabetes for 10 yrs now,pls can I take the bit b 12 you’re talking about?? Felly
What is that letter that looks like a typo that follows the dosage amount in this vitamin story?
A microgram is a metric unit of mass equal to one millionth (1×10?6) of a gram. The unit symbol is ?g according to the International System of Units. The exception is found in the antiquated and almost obsolete system of Imperial measurement , such as stubbornly remains in use in the United States, where the recommended symbol when communicating medical information is mcg.
Obviously, I am replying using an English (U.S.) keyboard rather than an English (UK) version, or rather than the true typos appearing in my response you would see the same symbol that appears in the article. Hrumph!
What happens if i took 6 of them on one sit ?
Seriously Ray? Now why would u want to go and do a thing like that? It would be just wasteful Ray. Such a sad and unnecessary waste.
Hi, my son is diagnosed with mitochondriopathy and we were advised to have 300 mg of b12 per day.. Yes its mg not mcg. Can you recommend a brand where i can buy preferrably not the injectable type. Thanks!
Here to tell you first hand there ARE ill effects of taking too much B12. Too much can cause high blood pressure. I naturally run B12 deficient but am able to supplement just fine without injection and I felt GREAT after doing it. BUT there DOES come a point where the deficiency has been corrected and it’s time to come down to a maintenance dose. I’ve currently noticed headaches, dizziness and at the recent doc visit high blood pressure for the first time EVER. My Normal b12 is about 30-1800 mine is currently 3162. WAY too high. Skipped my b12 pill today and it’s the first day without headaches, surprise surprise. Never going to stop taking it completely but it IS a vitamin people need to be careful with.
Thank you for this, Charlotte. I was doubting myself (which is how I get when almost every dr makes you feel that way). I do think too that you can sometimes take too much vit. B12.
You’ve probably depleted your potassium. B12 will do that after awhile. Low potassium causes high blood pressure and too much cause low blood pressure – dangerous either way. I have a blood pressure monitor that I use to keep track while supplementing with B12. If it gets higher than usual then I’ll know to take a potassium pill, but that hasn’t happened yet. I have a lot of fresh fruit and veggie juices and smoothies daily, so I probably get enough in my diet.
I had broken out in a rash that started on my elbows and then my knees. Around this time, I was getting a lot of headaches Dermatologist initially told me I might have psoriasis and took a biopsy which was inconclusive. Showed inflammation with could mean psoriasis or eczema. It eventually all healed after a couple of weeks, but then round 2 started. It really took off all over my arms and legs. Most of the spots originated at night when sleeping. It seemed like heat, or the friction from moving or where my arms and legs were folded would break out. These areas itched like crazy to the point where I wanted to rip my skin off. For 2-3 weeks I was only sleeping a couple of hours at night. I was going crazy. During this time I had seen my primary doctor and dermatologist each twice. My primary doctor finally referred me to an allergist/immunologist. The night before going, my pulse was racing in the 120-130’s and I felt like I had a fever even though my temperature was normal. I almost went to the ER. When she finally saw me, she looked at me like I was dying. She ordered a lot of blood work that all came back normal (thank goodness). Up until this point it had been going on for about 2 months and I was becoming desperate to find a cause. She finally ordered a scratch test and a patch test. The morning I was scheduled to start all the allergy testing I woke up, and my symptoms just all stopped. Today I got the preliminary results which showed I’m allergic/sensitive to Cobalt.
They gave me a couple of sheets describing things that might exacerbate the reaction. One of them that stood out was vitamin B12 (as cyanocobalamin). Up until I started with all these symptoms, I was taking pre-workout drink, post-workout drink and vitamins. When I tallied this up, I was taking upwards of 1000-1500% of the daily recommended value. I have been doing this for about 6-8 years. I can’t be sure that this was causing my symptoms, but it is by far the one thing that stood out. The only other thing and maybe its in combination, is stress. I have had way too much of it in my life around the time this all started. Mom has pancreatic cancer, work two jobs and take call, etc, etc. I started exploring vitamin B12 reactions and came across this site. At the beginning of this post it goes on to say that you can’t be allergic or sensitive to vitamin B12, and that is just not true if you are allergic/sensitive to Cobalt. Only Vitamin B12 in natural form (methylcobalamin) is recommended. My findings are only preliminary, but I wanted to share in case this helps someone. I know how we can become desperate to find answers, and small snippets can sometimes become pieces of a puzzle we are trying to solve. I would start with Cobalt sensitivity/allergy for anyone trying to find a reaction to B12.
My mother is of age 72 and has very high B 12 i.e 1235. Is it harmful for her.
She has also high Rumathoid Arthritis. Is that is of high B12.
People like the person who has written this article need to be put in prison. The article is full of misleading information.
1. B12 gets stored in the liver and takes part in the entero-hepatic circulation. This means it can stay in your system for years… This is the sole reason people who become vegans develop B12 deficiency after many years and don’t consider their diet as a contributing factor, because they had been fine for 5-10 years on it.
2. Only tiny amounts of B12 get excreted in the urine. B12 is not like the other vitamins from the B-complex group which get flused through the kindeys.
3. You can get overdose symptoms from B12. Have a look at B12’s names:
methylcobalamin, cyanocobalamin, hydroxocobalamin.
Notice the word “cobalamin”‘? Cobalt is a metal and yes, you can get symptoms from taking huge doses of every metal, especially if it stays in your system for 5 years.
Like I said earlier, the person who wrote this article needs to be punched in the face. Like a lot!
Yo, I agree with you, but chill!
Deep! My intuition believes you a 100%.this propaganda being promoted online is to deter ppl from adapting the plant based lifestyle! Need kore documentation on this!
Yes, I agree with you, I by mistake overdosed on b12 sublingual lozenges and got severe headache, anxiety, nausea, nerve stimulation, nervousness, restlessness
Like others here I had great results with my first 3 1000mcg B12-injections. Went from being immobile to getting my freedom of movement back. And this in only 3 weeks. No more back pain, able to carry
small backpack around without having to put it down all the down because my shoulders couldn’t take it and able to walk at a normal pace again (and no more knee pain although dr told me I just had to put up with it because I’m 48 ?!?). So very spectacular. However, in the 4th week right after the injection I noticed my ears feeling full and an annyoing vibration-like noise in my ears. Have had 2 more injections (because I was being told it gets worse before getting better – which was indeed the case before). But it’s now been 3 weeks with this annoying new symptom and I haven’t notice any improvement anymore. Maybe time to take a break. It seems to me that I took too much and that I might not need a weekly 1000mcg injection for now but should spread it more.
My doc prescribed b12 shots starting with 4 large “loading” doses. After the first I had so much energy my feet shook like crazy, I felt like a wound up clock. Some anxiety becouse I had way , way more energy than my body needed. Then I couldn’t sleep for days, that is… Not At All. The next dose I reduced to a 10th of the first ( much less) same symptoms. B12 is stored in the liver, if you have even minor liver impairment it can cause not only systemic symptoms but liver issues. Take with caution.
A friend tried staying away from gluten in some breads when she was b12 overdose. Don’t really know how that has worked up for her. Since she only stopped taking bread with gluten a week ago. I will keep you updated with her health. If anybody is embarking of going off gluten for a while. Please seek a doctor or nutritionist advice. Many thanks! Don’t panic!
I started taking B12 supplements 2,500 mcg daily just over a week ago. I also take Women’s Daily Multivitamin that contains 7.2 mcg. Since then my blood pressure went up to 142/88, my ankles become swollen all day from the time I wake up in the morning and itch where the elastic on the tops of my socks lies against my ankles, and the backs of my knees are tight and feel swollen. As I’m researching now (should have before) I am seeing that some recommended doses are 2,500 once a week (not daily) and others are very small mcgs daily. I’m concerned and can’t see my doctor for over a month so I stopped taking the 2,500 B12 supplements today and will see what happens. (I have a B12 deficiency per last tests and oscillating hyper/hypothyroidism.) Anyone else have such side effects from B12 or taking the mcgs I described?
Yes, claudia I have been feeling the same since a week except swollen, please let me know what did you do to get rid off it?
i was borderline deficient b12 and folate . my doctor prescribed 10000 mcg b12 snd 10 mg of l methylate. i also had a mouth sore and read i might need more b12 so i started on b12 injections i was having a few issues sleeping when i was taking b12 but once i started injections i havet slept since i am never tired i can go multiple nights with no sleep and i’m not tired the next day so yes there are side affects. this is living hell!
Yes there are side effects! I had a level over 900 and suffered from cystic acne, dizziness, vomiting, rashes I thought was eczema, blurred vision and anxiety. Be careful and always test your vit. levels before taking them.
So no cure , no suggestions?
Hello
I have a b12 deficiency. For several months, I had b12 injections and then I had to drink high-dose b12 ampoules (cyanocobalamine). Very soon after the first injections, I was very tired and I had many symptoms (dizziness, headache, palpitations, vomiting, hypertension, stiffness of the body and pain). I am French and I am looking for answers regarding the overdose of b12. My doctor refuses to believe that b12 is the cause but 2 weeks after stopping b12 I feel better but I have not recovered 100%. I wanted to share my experience with you.
Guys I created a new site dedicated specifically to Pernicious Anemia and B12 deficiency. The content on the current site will slowly migrate there, over the next couple of months. Check it out:
https://perniciousanemia.org
I took some B-12 supplements and a few days I had tingling in my whole body. I stopped these supplements, and the tingling went away. It was the only vita men I was taking, therefore making it almost certain that B-12 was in fact the cause. I also have a Celisus every morning which has green tea extract in it, and a good bit of B-12. I recommend staying away from B-12 supplementals.
My naturopath has been injecting me with Cyanocobalmin.
My levels are now 954 pmol and I feel bad. Weakness on one side. Can’t stand noise. Can’t concentrate. Nightmares, dizziness. Anxiety. And nausea. Had the most recent one today. Damn. Then discovered this site.
The reports are entirely plausible as the cause of my recent problems.
Whether it is the brand, the type, the metal, or the level of B12 doesn’t matter to me. I am stopping.
Will let you know how it improves. Soon I hope.
Thanks for all your efforts.
I’ve been feeling tired and losing all interest in everything. blood check showed I was below minimum for b.12. so far I’ve had 3 jabs and feel wiped out where I can hardly get out of bed. gutted that I feel worse than before. don’t know whether to carry on as I feel horrible.
Been b12 defiency since March this year
Level was 124
Main symtoms where
Tired
Nauseous
Dizzy ear ringing faintly
Burps
Was given loading dose at Gp
2 weeks alternate days
And 5mg folic acid as level was low also
In that 2 weeks I only had 2 maybe 3 ok days
Where now September
I’ve listened to many many people telling me to inject so I started
Wow I’m worse
Ear hissing worse
Ear vibrations worse
Burps occasionally
Joint pain increased 100%
Aggitated mainly because I feel like death
Many groups state reversing out ? Symtoms worse before they heal and get better
I’m not so sure
I’m going to stop the self injecting (hydrox )
B12
I’m worse now than in March ?
I must add
I have h pylori that’s now being treated anti biotics which with low b12 is quite common
I feel I’ve made myself worse
I’m in bed my 7pm most evenings
I try to stay active in the day doing things to keep my mind off this vile thing
But today I’ve decided no more b12 self injecting
For my case I feel dread full
Many self inject
Many use co factors etc
I did
I’ve never in all my years had to take so much
That’s made me agitated tired in pain
Lots of parathesia and tearfull
To say the least
I have to now try fir fear of what this b12 may or may not be doing to me
One thing March
I was not this way
Did you get better? <3
I wish I had come across this site sooner, I was diagnosed as having a vit b 12 deficiency on July 27, have been taking high doses ever since, have begun to feel awful, numbness in feet, dizziness, extreme fatigue. I did have these symptoms before the diagnosis but much worse now! Is it a case of feeling worse before I get better or should I lay of vit b12 for a while?
Very interesting article, and comments too, although most of the comments seem to contradict the article!I have had odd responses to methyl cobalamin sublingual in doses of 50 to 250 mcg. They are energy, euphoria and anxiety. Within half an hour of taking. Normally I am very tired, that’s why I took it, but half an hour after taking it I had so much energy. I didn’t want to sit down, and was actually Shadow boxing in the mirror. Gradually the effects seemed to reduce. I would like to know the implications of such a response. I ought to add that I am on anti depressants. Maybe this increased my response. I stopped the supplement after a week, in order to start again from an even lower dose and increase gradually. We have the brilliant NHS here, but it’s going to be hard to find a doctor who is prepared to go quite as far as me in diagnosing what is going on. That’s why I’m also posting here.
Love to you all, and thanks to the host of this site too.
Robin
There is a direct link between selenium, molybdenum, iodine, B2, folate, and B12. All of the others need to be replete before B12 can work. Getting replete with the minerals first is important for B2 to work. Someone posted that B12 can tank potassium. This does happen and then all sorts of symptoms occur. For more information about the process there is a great facebook support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/946944078825502
B 12 injection is a nightmare I feel like I’m dying slowly went to the ER eight times changed three different doctors no one knows what’s wrong with me it started with dizziness and not sleeping now it’s every nerve in my body my eyes are pulling my face is pulling it’s not anxiety it’s scary like I’m scared I am a mom and I was so healthy I can’t believe this happened to me and every time I would mention it to the doctors they don’t believe that B12 can do that it made me allergic to every single medicine I can’t take Tylenol I can’t take Motrin I can’t take anything for pain
Im having thoses symptoms really bad ?? How long did ot last ?? My doctor gave me 1 injection of it ??
I’m still but walking and drinking lots of water it helps it ganna take time at night I am taking cyclorenzaprine 10mg it helps and it’s not addictive
Hi guys..I took B complex with 200 mg microgram to treat my damaged nerves…just started with 2 tablets in one day morning and evening…already had insomnia..unable to sleep the whole night…I have stopped taking this. Will the condition improve ? Really need the sleep
Reading through all the comments here and I can relate. I honestly think I have been taking too much. A couple years ago I was diagnosed with a deficiency. I started taking a high-dose supplement and had injections for a few weeks (1x/week for about 5 weeks). I felt so much better (I actually didn’t realize I wasn’t feeling up to par until my levels were normalized). A year later my bloodwork showed a really high level of B12. The Dr. thought nothing of it. I’ve been off & on with my supplement until recently, taking a 5K microgram sublingual tablet daily. For the past week I thought I needed to go to the eye dr. again b/c my vision was blurred, rather suddenly, and I have had some numbness in my thumb.
Well, I recently watched a video with Dr. Klaper saying that new information says that you CAN take too much B12, and that it’s stored in the liver. I haven’t taken it for the past 2 days and suddenly I can see again! I literally haven’t changed anything else in my diet or otherwise. I am NOT a doctor, just relaying my personal experience. Peace out, all!
Wow, I’m so glad that I came across this page. I developed severe full-body twitching a few years ago and could not figure out why for the life of me. At the same time, I was taking high doses of methyl B-12 to treat a digestive disorder and MTHFR. After several months of twitching I got comprehensive blood work done and discovered that my B-12 was through the roof. I still didn’t stop taking it because I thought it was good to have high levels – everything that I found said that you couldn’t overdose. Eventually, I stopped taking it. The twitching stopped and I wondered if there was a connection. Two years later, I have started taking B-12 again and the twitching started right back up again. It seems to me that some people (maybe those with MTHFR?) can get too much, which can cause these symptoms.
B12 can stimulate the suox enzyme which binds to sulfites and excretes them by converting to sulfate, but in process the binding of sulfites also binds to copper which then may drop to low, causing these symptoms