Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is often associated with energy, but this nutrient is necessary for many vital processes in the human body. In addition to aiding in red blood cell formation and mood disorders, vitamin B12 is an important mineral for those with autoimmunity. For example, individuals with autoimmune conditions such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and Crohn’s disease are predisposed to being vitamin B12 deficient, according to Cedars Sinai. Additionally, in many autoimmune conditions, there is the risk of malabsorption which can result in nutrient deficiencies as well. Having one or more autoimmune diseases plus a nutrient deficiency can be problematic in terms of determining where certain symptoms are arising.
Optimal Vitamin B12 Levels
According to Pernicious Anemia Relief, below is the chart one should use to determine his or her vitamin B12 status:
| B12 Status | B12 Levels (pg/mL) |
|---|---|
| Normal | 550 or higher |
| Deficiency | Less than 550 |
| For a healthy nervous system & disease prevention in the elderly | 1000 or more |
It is crucial to consider that both low and high vitamin B12 levels can cause less than optimal health; symptoms of low and high vitamin B12 can also overlap. Symptoms of low vitamin B12 include:
- Low energy
- Anemia
- Depression
- Pins and needles (paraesthesia)
- Weak muscles
Symptoms of elevated vitamin B12 include:
- Headache
- Pins and needles (paraesthesia)
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Irregular heartbeat
How To Test
The National Institutes of Health have previously stated that serum, or blood testing, is the most accurate way to determine one’s vitamin B12 level. To achieve the most accurate serum result, it is best to get the blood test done in a fasted state and have abstained from vitamin B12 supplementation for three days. However, a serum vitamin B12 test does not differentiate between active and inactive forms, so it is important to use blood work as a mere guide.
With that in mind, Pernicious Anemia Relief states that a more accurate way to determine one’s vitamin B12 status is by testing methylmalonic acid (MMA), homocysteine, and holotranscobalamin (HoloTC), although this not as commonly discussed.
How To Consume More Vitamin B12
The most common food sources containing this crucial mineral include:
- Salmon
- Eggs
- Liver
- Clams
- Mushrooms
Because vitamin B12 is more commonly found in meat sources, vegetarians and vegans may be at increased risk of developing a vitamin B12 deficiency.
Supplementing Vitamin B12
With the current state of farming, eating the most perfect diet can sometimes seem like an unobtainable goal. Therefore, vitamin B12 supplements can come in handy. In the holistic world of medicine, vitamin B12 supplements are often separated by whether or not they are “methylated.” In autoimmune patients, methylated vitamin B12 can be more useful in the body than unmethylated vitamin B12 because autoimmune patients often have a defect in how their bodies break down and utilize certain nutrients, but that is another topic for another time.
Some of my favorite supplement brands when it comes to vitamin B12 are Thorne, Pure Encapsulations, and Quicksilver Scientific.
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