Everybody requires vitamin B-12, and many people get enough through their diet. However, it is very important to know what negative effects happen when you take too much. Vitamin B-12 is water-soluble and soaked up in the intestines. After it’s soaked up, it’s utilized to make DNA and red blood cells. Vitamin B-12 that isn’t being used is stored in the liver. But if you take supplements, you may ingest more than your body needs.
What Are the Side Effects of Vitamin B-12?
Oral vitamin B-12 is safe to take at recommended doses for healthy people.
Injectable vitamin B-12, which is used to treat substantial shortages, can cause the list below adverse effects:
- mild diarrhea
- itching
- skin rash
- headache
- dizziness
- nausea
- vomiting
- pulmonary edema and congestive heart failure early in treatment
- vein thrombosis
- sensation of swelling
- polycythemia vera (rare, slow growing blood cancer).
Vitamin B-12 can trigger very uncommon however severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). This includes swelling of the face, tongue, and throat, and trouble swallowing and breathing. If this happens after you take vitamin B-12, call 911 or your regional emergency services immediately.
Some representatives are linked to minimized absorption or serum levels of vitamin B-12. You may require vitamin B-12 supplements if you take any of the following:
- colchicine.
- metformin.
- proton pump inhibitors.
- vitamin C.
- chloramphenicol.
- H2 blockers.
- aminosalicylic acid.
Folic acid supplements may interfere with vitamin B-12. Be sure to inform your doctor if you take folic acid.
You may require to take vitamin B-12 individually from the above drugs and supplements– state, one in the morning and one in the evening– so you can get the full dose of vitamin B-12.
Don’t take vitamin B-12 supplements if you have sensitivities or allergies to vitamin B-12, cobalt, and any other ingredients. Vitamin B-12 is safe to take in suggested dosages if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
When Should You See a Doctor?
If you discover any unfavorable impacts after you start taking vitamin B-12 supplements, you must terminate use right away. Look for medical attention if your signs worsen or are severe.
You can consult your doctor to establish an appropriate dose if it’s determined that you don’t get sufficient B-12 from food sources.
What’s the Correct Dosage of Vitamin B-12?
According to the National Institutes of Health, the advised dietary quantities (RDAs) are as follows:
- 2.4 micrograms (mcg) daily for ages 14 years or older.
- 2.6 mcg daily for pregnant women.
- 2.8 mcg daily for breastfeeding women.
If you’re over the age of 50, you must try to get your RDA by consuming foods with B-12 or by taking a supplement including 25 to 100 mcg of B-12.
Foods with vitamin B-12 include:
- eggs.
- cheese.
- fish.
- shellfish.
- liver.
- kidney.
- red meat.
How are Vitamin B-12 Side Effects Treated?
See your doctor if you have irritating adverse effects that don’t disappear as soon as you stop taking the supplements. Avoid taking supplements if possible, and attempt to get B-12 from food sources.
The Bottom Line
If you develop any side effects from taking vitamin B-12, you can stop taking the supplement and the signs must go away.
After this, you’ll require to determine either an appropriate dose or how to get the vitamin B-12 you need from food sources. You can discuss this with your doctor.
