Question:
Can I get TO MUCH B12?

I went to purchase some B12 Sublingual today as I am runing low. When I got home and opened them,I realized the dosage is 2500mcg, not 500 as I"m taking now. If I take them, what will happen? Is there a such thing as getting to much? I can't take them back cause I opened them grrr.    — hatda (posted on July 31, 2008)

July 31, 2008
As always you should doublecheck with your doctor. It is my understanding that B-12 is water soluble and not stored in your body. Very difficult to over do. I have my RNY 06/2006 and have been taking 5000mg sublingual daily since before my surgery. Hope this helps.
   — cathy41tired

July 31, 2008
I have to tell you, I'm pretty sure you can get to much. I too bought the 2500mcg on accident and after I took it for the first time I didn't sleep AT ALL for 3 days. I talked to mom and she asked "are you taking b12 by any chance" and I said yes. And she said that was probably why I wasn't sleeping. And low and behold once it wore off, and I started taking the appropriate dose, no more sleep problems. I talked to my nutritionist and she said you can get too much. Hope that helps!
   — k4rizz421

July 31, 2008
According to my doctor the answer is no. B vitamins are excreted through your urine. Do not be shocked if your urine turns neon yellow. You can always get the lower dose next time if you'd like. Good Luck
   — mary_rn

July 31, 2008
My B-12 is 1000 mcg and it is a red sublinqual tablet. Doctor says even tho my B-12 level is on the higher side not to worry as it is excreted through the urine as it is water soluable. If you want to use them cut them in half and take everyother day or every 3rd day. They will not hurt you.
   — Gena L.

July 31, 2008
If you take more than your body can store, you will just pass the surplus. I get shots and I wind up with blood test that say I am high right after, but I am low three weeks later.
   — William (Bill) wmil

July 31, 2008
My B 12 is off the charts high at 1127...but there is no evidence that B 12 is a harmful vitamin in high doses like the other B vitamins...I'll keep doing what I am doing...I just take Trader Joe's 1000mcg sublinguals daily...You can take that 2500 mcg dose once a week rather than daily and it will be fine! It's the OTHER B vitamins that can cause you trouble. But a lack of B-12 can be devastating to you health...
   — .Anita R.

July 31, 2008
I am 3 yrs. RNY post op and I was instructed to take B12 1000 mcg, 1x per week. My Dr. thought that once a week was NOT necessary and didnt realize I had to take this supplement. I have had my Vitamin B intrinsic values taken, and I am par for the course - normal. I find that EVERY Dr., PCP, surgeon, ER dr. no one - knows anything about how to treat a WLS patient. I find that I am constantly educating them as to what I can and cant do, and what I need. Please stay on top of your own needs, when in doubt - call your surgeon.
   — C-There

August 1, 2008
Vitamin B-12 is also known as CYANOCOBALAMIN. Look it up with a GOOGLE earch. I've been taking a 1000 mg tablet every day since leaving hospital after RNY surgery. I suspect you've been taking 500 mg (MILLIgram) tablets. Every time I get a B-12 refill, I get paperwork with it that gives me all the "skinny" on the drug. Here's what it has to say about OVERDOSE: "Overdose is very unlikely with cyanocobalamin use. If overdose is expected, contact your local poison control center oe emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provencial poison control center." Note that for some post bariatric surgery people, the tablets -- even in megadoses -- are not sufficient and they must take B-12 injections. This can be determined for you by having your doctor send you to the blood lab for a very specific test for this condition. Just remember that you could be getting too little B-12 (and that's VERY bad) but getting overdosed on it is quite unlikely. Note that 2500 mcg is quite a bit *LESS* than 500 mg (less by a fator of 200!). 'mcg' meams MICROgrams (one millionth of a gram) and 'mg' means MILLIgram (one thousandth of a gram). Rather than OVERDOSE, your concern should be that you are now not getting enough B-12 with the 2500 mcg stuff.
   — [Deactivated Member]

August 2, 2008
OOPS!! I just checked my container of B-12. It's 1000 mcg, not 1000 mg as stated in my previous answer to your question. So YES, 2500 mcg is 5 times MORE than the 500 mcg dose you were previously getting. Still, it's not likely that you can overdose on B-12.
   — [Deactivated Member]

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