Is 180 low for B12?

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.

How to know if your B12 count is normal?

What Is a Normal B12 Count? 1 Test. Doctors typically draw blood to test vitamin B-12 levels. 2 Normal B-12 Levels. Normal values may vary depending on the laboratory, however, so discuss your test results with your doctor. 3 Low Levels. 4 B-12 Deficiency Symptoms. …

Do you need a blood test for vitamin B 12?

If you have signs of this deficiency, you may need a blood test to determine B-12 levels in your blood. Because excess vitamin B-12 leaves the body in urine, high levels of B-12 are rare, according to Medline Plus. Lisa Porter began writing professionally in 2009. She writes for various websites and has a Bachelor of Arts in English literature.

What happens if you have a vitamin B 12 deficiency?

Left untreated, a vitamin B-12 deficiency can lead to anemia, fatigue, muscle weakness, intestinal problems, nerve damage and mood disturbances. The recommended daily amount of vitamin B-12 for adults is 2.4 micrograms. Research on the use of vitamin B-12 for specific activities and conditions shows:

How many micrograms of vitamin B12 a day?

The average adult should get 2.4 micrograms a day. Like most vitamins, B12 can’t be made by the body. Instead, it must be gotten from food or supplements. And therein lies the problem: Some people don’t consume enough vitamin B12 to meet their needs, while others can’t absorb enough, no matter how much they take in.

What should my vitamin B12 test results show?

If you’re at the low end of that range, or below 190 ng/L, your doctor may order additional tests. If your test shows B12 levels of less than 150 ng/L, your doctor may want you to be tested for methylmalonic acid. If you have vitamin B12 deficiency, you’ll probably have higher levels of this substance.

What is the normal level of vitamin B12 in the blood?

Understanding the Results. The normal range for vitamin B12 can vary slightly depending on the lab. But a normal level of vitamin B12 in your bloodstream is generally between 190 and 950 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL). Between 200 to 300 pg/mL is considered borderline and your doctor may do more testing.

What happens if you have a low B12 reading?

Megaloblastic anemia is a serious result of vitamin B12 deficiency. Red blood cells grow larger than is normal, meaning there are not enough healthy red blood cells, which leads to anemia. Megaloblastic anemia can also be caused by a folate deficiency, so folate testing is often done with a vitamin B12 test.

What to do if your vitamin B 12 levels are high?

How to manage your B-12 levels For people with high levels of B-12, treatment involves adjusting your diet. This may mean eating less animal products like meats, dairy, and seafood. If you’re diagnosed with a B-12 deficiency, the goal of treatment is to increase your level of vitamin B-12.