How old do you have to be to take b12
Isabella Harris
Updated on March 27, 2026
CategoryVitamin B-12: Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) in micrograms (mcg) For children under age 1, only an adequate intake (AI) is available1-3 years0.9 mcg/day4-8 years1.2 mcg/day9-13 years1.8 mcg/day14 years and up2.4 mcg/day
Can my 14 year old take B12?
Toddlers aged 1 to 3 years need 0.9 mcg of B12 per day. Kids aged 4 to 8 years need 1.2 mcg of B12 per day. Kids aged 9 to 13 need 1.8 mcg of B12 per day. Teenagers aged 14 to 18 need 2.4 mcg of B12 per day.
Can a child overdose on B12?
No, you cannot overdose on B12 Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, meaning it dissolves in water and is quickly absorbed by the body. It is stored in the liver and whatever your body doesn’t use is excreted through urine, Allen says. Even in high doses, your body can only absorb a fraction of B12 supplements.
How old can you be to get a B12 shot?
Our practitioners provide this service to patients 18 years or older. This service is not available to pregnant women. Patients must present a valid prescription or have a prescription on file at the pharmacy.How much vitamin B12 does a teenager need?
Teens should get 2.4 micrograms of vitamin B12 daily. Vitamin B6 is important for normal brain and nerve function. It also helps the body break down proteins and make red blood cells.
Who can take B12?
The RDI for vitamin B12 ranges from 2.4 mcg for adults to 2.8 mcg for breastfeeding women. Most people meet these needs through diet alone, but older adults, people on strict plant-based diets, and those with digestive disorders may benefit from supplements, though dosages vary based on individual needs.
Can I start taking vitamin B-12?
Though doses of up to 2,000 mcg of vitamin B12 are considered safe, it’s best to speak to a doctor to find out whether taking a supplement is necessary. Most people can fill their B12 needs through a healthy diet. Some, such as older adults or those with certain dietary restrictions, should supplement.
Can B12 cause anxiety?
B12 Causes Psychiatric Symptoms: B12 deficiency can cause almost any psychiatric symptom, from anxiety, and panic to depression and hallucinations. This is because B12 deficiencies trigger symptoms in the nervous system and red blood cells.Is it OK to take 1000 mcg of B12 a day?
The recommended dose for treating vitamin B12 deficiency is 1000 mcg daily. The recommended dose for preventing vitamin B12 deficiency is 1500 mg or 2500 mcg (sublingual tablets) daily. The dose for treating hyperhomocysteinemia is 400 mg daily in combination with folic acid.
Can B12 hurt your liver?The common forms of vitamin B include vitamin B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine) and B12 (cyanocobalamin). Except for niacin (when given in high doses), there is no evidence that the other B vitamins, in physiologic or even super-physiologic high doses cause liver injury or jaundice.
Article first time published onCan a 12 year old take multivitamins?
Multivitamins aren’t necessary for most healthy children who are growing normally. Foods are the best source of nutrients. Regular meals and snacks can provide all the nutrients most preschoolers need.
What supplements should a 16 year old take?
- Vitamin A. Helps with: night and color vision, in addition to normal growth, healthy skin and tissue repair. …
- B Vitamins. Helps with: new cell production and metabolism. …
- Calcium. …
- Zinc. …
- Vitamin C. …
- Vitamin D. …
- Iron. …
- Folic Acid.
How much B12 should a 16 year old take?
AgeMaleFemale4–8 years1.2 mcg1.2 mcg9–13 years1.8 mcg1.8 mcg14–18 years2.4 mcg2.4 mcg19+ years2.4 mcg2.4 mcg
What kind of vitamins should a teenager take?
Anyone who struggles to eat a healthy, varied, and balanced diet may benefit from taking supplements. For teenagers, it may be helpful to take iron, calcium, and vitamin D if you feel you are lacking these essential vitamins and minerals.
Why is B12 high?
The most common cause of high B12 in the blood is due to recent ingestion or injection of supplemental vitamin B12. We don’t worry about overdosing on B12 supplements because excess can be excreted in your urine. It could also be possibly from your diet if high in animal products such as meat, eggs, and shellfish.
Is taking B12 good for you?
Vitamin B12 is a nutrient that helps keep your body’s blood and nerve cells healthy and helps make DNA, the genetic material in all of your cells. Vitamin B12 also helps prevent megaloblastic anemia, a blood condition that makes people tired and weak.
Can u overdose on vitamin B?
You’re also unlikely to get too much vitamin B if you’re taking any supplementation as directed. That said, overdose is possible — especially if you’re taking a supplement without receiving a deficiency diagnosis from your doctor. Symptoms of a vitamin B complex overdose include: excessive thirst.
Can you take vitamin B12 everyday?
While the recommended daily amount of vitamin B-12 for adults is 2.4 micrograms, higher doses have been found to be safe. Your body absorbs only as much as it needs, and any excess passes through your urine. High doses of vitamin B-12, such as those used to treat a deficiency, might cause: Headache.
Does lack of B12 cause weight gain?
Furthermore, while a deficiency in vitamin B12 may not cause weight gain, it can decrease energy levels and contribute to fatigue, making it harder to stay active and manage your weight.
Is B12 good for hair growth?
One of those vital nutrients is B12, also known as cobalamin. B12 promotes healthy hair growth by assisting in the production of oxygen-rich red blood cells, which feed hair follicles. … Since B12 helps produce red blood cells, having enough of this vitamin is essential to the hair growth process.
Is B12 level of 1000 too high?
There is no consensus on the definition of high or elevated B12. Previous studies have chosen a variety of levels to represent high or very high B12 (pmol/l) levels. Some examples include: 664.219; 5131; 700 (high) and 1500 (very high)11; and 601 (high) and 1000 (very high)10.
How does B12 help lose weight?
Vitamin B12 is one of the essential B vitamins that help support a healthy nervous system. B12 works by converting the food we eat into sugar and other types of fuel that keep the body running smoothly. B12 is often associated with weight loss because of its ability to boost metabolism and provide lasting energy.
Can B12 make your heart race?
Fast heart rate A fast heart rate may be a symptom of vitamin B-12 deficiency. The heart may start to beat faster to make up for the reduced number of red blood cells in the body.
Can low B12 cause hair loss?
Low B12 and Hair Loss Symptoms of low B12 often occur when blood level drops below 300 ng/l and include hair loss, breathlessness, lack of energy palpitations, bleeding gums, mouth ulcers, tingling in the hands and feet. There are two types of B12 deficiency: Lack of dietary B12 – usually vegetarians and vegans.
What is the best vitamin for anxiety and depression?
Vitamin B-3 and Vitamin B-9 can help people with depression because B vitamins help the brain manage moods. Vitamin D, melatonin and St. John’s Wort are recommended for seasonal depression. Omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium and vitamin C may also help with depression.
Is B12 hard on kidneys?
A: Vitamin B-12 is a water-soluble vitamin. Excess amounts of it (no matter how much you take) typically are just cleared by the kidney, so high levels of B-12 can occur if the kidneys aren’t working properly. B-12 is stored by the liver, so any liver damage that causes cells to die can increase blood B-12 levels.
Does B12 cause blood clots?
Population research suggests that having low levels of vitamin B12 might be linked to an increased risk for blood clots in the veins.
What medications should not be taken with B12?
Certain medications can decrease the absorption of vitamin B12, including: colchicine, metformin, extended-release potassium products, antibiotics (such as gentamicin, neomycin, tobramycin), anti-seizure medications (such as phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone), medications to treat heartburn (such as H2 blockers …
At what age should you start taking vitamins?
Consider waiting until a child reaches age 4 to start giving a multivitamin supplement, unless your child’s doctor suggests otherwise.
Can a teenager take one a day men's?
Here’s one thing parents and teens can agree on: a gummy vitamin specially formulated to provide nutritional support with key nutrients for young men as they grow up healthy and strong.
Can kids vitamin C?
Children ages 1 to 3 should not get more than 400 mg of vitamin C a day. Children ages 4 to 8 should not get more than 650 mg a day. Those are the maximum amounts considered safe by the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine.