Some Side Effects Of Vitamin B12 If Taken Excessively!

Vitamin B12, also known as Cobalamin, is an essential micro-nutrient for the proper functioning of the body. It plays a vital role maintaining some of the most important functions of your body, like formation of DNA and red blood cells, as well as the development of nerve cells and brain. Despite its importance, Vitamin B12 deficiency is very common in India. According to statistics, the prevalence Vitamin B12 deficiency in India is as high as 47%, that means, only 26% of the Indian population has sufficient levels of Vitamin B12. Thus, with the increasing cases of vitamin B12 deficiency, the use of vitamin B12 supplements and intake of vitamin B12 rich foods has increased considerably. However, excess of anything has proven to have adverse effects on your body. If you consume too much of vitamin B12 or vitamin B12 supplements, it can lead to an overdose and cause severe health issues.

In this article, we will discuss in detail about the common side effects that vitamin B12 overdose can cause along with the daily requirement of vitamin B12 as per your age. 

Can Vitamin B12 overdose cause any side effects?

Vitamins are micronutrients which are required in your body in small amounts. Vitamins and minerals are essential for normal body functioning. Therefore, most of us take multivitamin supplements to fulfil our daily requirement of vitamins. If these supplements are taken in an excess, it can lead to vitamin overdose. Similar is the case with vitamin B12 as well. Overdose or excess intake of vitamin B12 can cause certain side effects. The side effects of vitamin B12 depend on the form in which it has been taken.

Side Effects of Overdose of Vitamin B12: Oral Supplements

The overdose of oral supplements of vitamin B12 can lead to certain side effects in your body. These side effects commonly include/manifest as:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Nausea
• Headache
• Weakness
• Tiredness
• Tingling sensation or numbness in your extremities
• Skin conditions like rosacea, acne, atopic dermatitis, and vitiligo
• Increased risk of colon cancer in older adults
• Vitamin B12 overdose increases your chances of hospitalisation and death in certain cases
• Less effective chemotherapy given for the treatment of cancer

Side Effects of Overdose of Vitamin B12: Shots

Vitamin B12 supplements are also delivered as high-dose shots directly into your system thereby reducing its deficiency quickly. The side effects of Vitamin B12 are rare as these shots are prescribed by the doctor only when you have a deficiency. The overdose of vitamin B12 shots can commonly cause mild to severe side effects. These side effects include:

• Swelling
• Diarrhoea
• Skin rashes
• Itching
• Muscle weakness or cramps
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Leg pain
• Fatigue
• Frequent urge to drink water
• Increased urination
• Faster heart rate

Common Side Effects of Overdose of Vitamin B12

Some of the side effects of vitamin B12 are very common that may occur irrespective of the form in which you are taking vitamin B12 doses.

Skin Rashes

Skin rashes are one of the most common side effects of vitamin B12 overdose. You might find your skin flushed with the presence of welts all over your body. You might also feel itchiness in your entire body. The extent to which these skin rashes may appear on your skin depend upon the intensity of overdose of vitamin B12 in your body.

Gastrointestinal Problems

Gastrointestinal health issues are another major side effect of vitamin B12. These issues may range from mild to severe depending upon the extent of overdose. Some of the common vitamin B12 health issues include nausea, indigestion, and diarrhoea. High doses of vitamin B12 can lead to severe diarrhoea and intense stomach cramps in elderly people or people who have a history of gastrointestinal issues.

Insomnia

Insomnia refers to the inability to have a healthy and sound sleep. The overdose of vitamin B12 can worsen your existing problem of insomnia or might initiate insomnia as well by interrupting with your normal sleep cycle. This generally happens because vitamin B12 increases your energy levels that affect the normal sleep patterns ultimately leading to insomnia.

Numbness or Tingling Sensation

Long or prolonged intake of high doses of vitamin B12 can lead to numbness or tingling sensation which usually occurs in the right side of your body. The presence of a tingling sensation or numbness are one of the first signs of vitamin B12 overdose.

Mood Swings

The overdose of vitamin B12 can also affect the peace of your mind. It can lead to certain issues of mental health that may include restlessness, mood swings, panic attacks, and depression. The effect of vitamin B12 on mental health can worsen in people who naturally suffer from confusion, paranoia, or mental fogginess.

What is the Daily Requirement of Vitamin B12?

The daily requirement of vitamin B12 is not the same for everyone. The dosage of required vitamin B12 depends on your age and the stage of life as well. The table below lists the daily requirement of Vitamin B12 as per the US National Institute of Health (NIH).

S.No	Age	The daily requirement of vitamin B12
1.	0 - 6 months	0.4 mcg
2.	7 - 12 months	0.5 mcg
3.	1 - 3 years	0.9 mcg
4.	4 - 8 years	1.2 mcg
5.	9 - 13 years	1.8 mcg
6.	14 - 50 years	2.4 mcg
7.	Pregnant females	2.6 mcg
8.	Breastfeeding mothers	2.8 mcg

Takeaway

Vitamin B12 is an essential part of your daily dietary requirements. The deficiency, as well as excess of vitamin B12, can disrupt the normal functioning of the human body leading to certain health complications. Therefore, you must ensure that you include vitamin B12 in your diet either through food sources or supplements. Now that you know the common side effects of vitamin B12 supplements and the daily requirement of vitamin B12, make sure that you take vitamin B12 in the right amount and only when they are prescribed to you by a doctor. Vitamin B12 is essential but its overdose can cause more harm than good. So it is advisable to get your vitamin B12 levels tested before you start taking its supplements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What does it mean if you have high vitamin B12 levels?

Very high vitamin B12 levels can be an indication of diabetes, liver disease or a type of leukaemia.

• Is high levels of vitamin B12 a serious condition?

The extremely high level of vitamin B12 or cobalamin in your bloodstream can be a serious indication and even a sign of some life-threatening disease.

• How can I reduce the level of vitamin B12?

Certain measures that can help decrease the levels of vitamin B12 in your body include

• Drink a lot of water
• Stop any vitamin B12 supplements that you are taking immediately
• Avoid consuming vitamin B12-rich food for some time.