What if vitamin B12 is less than 100?

What if vitamin B12 is less than 100?

People with this deficiency are likely to have or develop symptoms. Older adults with a vitamin B12 level less than 100 pg/mL (74 pmol/L) may also have symptoms. Deficiency should be confirmed by checking the level of a substance in the blood called methylmalonic acid. A high level indicates a true B12 deficiency.

What is considered a severe B12 deficiency?

Patients with B12 levels between 200 and 300 pg/mL are considered borderline, and further enzymatic testing may be helpful in diagnosis. Patients with B12 levels below 200 pg/mL are considered deficient.

Is 50 mcg B12 enough?

Though doses of up to 2,000 mcg of vitamin B12 are considered safe, it’s best to speak to a doctor to find out whether taking a supplement is necessary. Most people can fill their B12 needs through a healthy diet.

What is a critical B12 level?

A serum vitamin B12 level less than 180 ng/L may cause megaloblastic anemia and peripheral neuropathies. Vitamin B12 levels less than 150 ng/L are considered evidence of vitamin B12 deficiency.

Is 500 a good B12 level?

The vitamin B12 standard reference range is 200–700 pg/ml whereas the proposed optimal range is 500–1300 pg/ml [10]. Higher vitamin B12 ranges have been associated with increased cognitive function, and reflexes, decreased brain atrophy, confusion, weakness and depression [10].

Is B12 120 low?

Vitamin B12 status is typically assessed by measurements of serum or plasma vitamin B12 levels. The cutoff between normal vitamin B12 levels and deficiency varies by method and laboratory, but most laboratories define subnormal serum or plasma values as those lower than 200 or 250 pg/mL (148 or 185 pmol/L) [2].

Can low B12 cause chest pain?

A low red blood cell count also can cause shortness of breath, dizziness, headache, coldness in your hands and feet, pale or yellowish skin, and chest pain.

Is your vitamin B12 level too low?

The tragedy is with people who are symptomatic but are in the low range of vitamin B12 normal levels, between 200-500. This is a grey zone, and even though these folks show clinical signs of B12 deficiency, they are never tested or treated because their B12 falls within the accepted B12 level range.

What are the signs and symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency in elderly?

Although elderly people with low vitamin B12 status frequently lack the classical signs and symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, e.g. megaloblastic anemia, precise evaluation and treatment in this population is important. Absorption of crystalline vitamin B12 does not decline with advancing age.

What happens if a vitamin B 12 deficiency is left untreated?

If left untreated, the deficiency can cause severe neurologic problems and blood diseases. A serious vitamin B 12 deficiency can be corrected two ways: weekly shots of vitamin B 12 or daily high-dose B 12 pills. A mild B 12 deficiency can be corrected with a standard multivitamin. In many people, a vitamin B 12 deficiency can be prevented.

What is the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in the US?

Vitamin B12 deficiency is estimated to affect 10\%-15\% of people over the age of 60, and the laboratory diagnosis is usually based on low serum vitamin B12 levels or elevated serum methylmalonic acid and homocysteine levels. Although elderly people with low vitamin B12 status frequently lack the clas …