Question:
Can you take too much B12?

I recently given some Sublingual Vitamin B12 pills and after looking at the Supplement facts I was awfully shocked to see that they are 16667% of the Recommended daily allowance. Is that too much? Can it hurt me to take them?    — blank first name B. (posted on July 4, 2001)

July 4, 2001
My young son once took a half bottle of b12 at once! When I called poison control, they assured me that you can't overdose on it. Just to be sure, I'd ask the doctor though.
   — Amy K.

July 4, 2001
While I don't think that you can overdo B12, for some people taking supplements is not needed. My doctor only recommends taking 2 chewable children's vitamins post op for life. Well, I have been having a massive amount of hair loss since March. I started taking chewable B12 daily because I wanted to take care of the anemia angle in case that was contributing to my hair loss. Well, I had lab work done about 3 weeks ago and everything came back perfect except for my B12. It was HIGH.(I guess you can absorb the B12 orally after all.) So, I don't believe I need to take extra B12. Apparently, what I am getting with my daily vitamins and diet is enough.
   — Shelley.

July 4, 2001
I also started up in the stratosphere of B12 land. But eventually, we lose it. It's a gradual process for some, quicker for others. Took me 6 yrs to fall in it, and yet I've met some who have far more conservative surgeries who fall in 6 months. In theory, we all will bottom out in it, since we do not have access to intrinsic factor (chemical we make) in RNY, and to a lesser degree, even DS. So, the bottom line is that some people use their sublingual daily, some use it weekly, some twice weekly........ but the answer will lie in frequent & complete labs and your own eyes on them, too. You can remain within normal limits, yet falling gently, for years. It's ideal to catch yourself before you bottom out. I was watching & it took me 6 months to slow the fall, but even still, none of the docs who get copies of my labs have even mentioned it. Only my screaming about it stopped the gentle descent. We need to be proactive, which you obviously are.
   — vitalady