According to the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, functional B12 deficiency is most commonly seen in patients with one or more of the following: Age over 50 stomach acid production declines with age, and stomach acid is required to free B12 from food PPI or H2 blocker use reflux medications suppress the acid needed for B12 absorption Metformin use, which interferes with B12 absorption directly Vegan or vegetarian diets B12 is found almost exclusively in animal products Gut conditions including celiac, IBS, SIBO, and Crohns MTHFR mutations that affect how B12 is metabolized once absorbed Heavy alcohol use The symptoms of low B12 are easy to dismiss: fatigue, brain fog, low mood, tingling in the hands or feet, weakness, and shortness of breath on mild exertion
oral semaglutide therapy is not recommended during breastfeeding
Schagen, S
A physician investigating unexplained hypercobalaminemia will typically order some combination of the following: Complete blood count (CBC) with differential to check for abnormal red blood cell, white blood cell, or platelet counts Liver function tests (ALT, AST, ALP, bilirubin, albumin) to assess liver health Kidney function tests (creatinine, BUN, estimated GFR) to evaluate renal clearance Peripheral blood smear if a myeloproliferative disorder is suspected Abdominal imaging (ultrasound or CT) if liver or abdominal pathology is a concern Cancer-specific markers or screenings if clinical suspicion warrants them The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements fact sheet notes that observational data from a Danish registry analysis of 757,185 people found the adjusted 1-year cancer risk was 1.74 to 4.72 times higher among those with B12 above 813 pg/mL compared to those in the normal range of 203 to 813 pg/mL
They provide a relaxing experience and typically administer B12 as a wellness service, meaning you dont need a prior prescription to get started
