What is an optimal Vitamin B12 level?
The short answer
An optimal Vitamin B12 level is above 900 pg/mL. That is Dr. Mark Hyman's number. You can watch him say it below.
Most labs call Vitamin B12 low only under 200. So your report can come back normal at 550 while you sit under the line he draws.
“a normal b12 level might be 300 but that ain't optimal it might be eight or 900 that's optimal”
Where a number lands, and who said so
- under 200 pg/mL Most labs flag this as low
- 200–900 pg/mL Normal on most reports. Below optimal Dr. Mark Hyman · 2:03:31 →
- above 900 pg/mL The range Dr. Mark Hyman draws
What Vitamin B12 measures
The B-twelve circulating in your blood.
Your nerves and your blood cell production both need it. A shortage can damage nerves before anaemia appears.
Checked against MedlinePlus — Vitamin B Test.
One of the doctors we cite, on why it matters
“you're going to get B12 deficient over the long term that can create depression neurological problems dementia”
Common questions
What is an optimal Vitamin B12 level?
Above 900 pg/mL, according to Dr. Mark Hyman.
What is a normal Vitamin B12 level?
Most US labs print 200–900 pg/mL. Your report grades you against that range. It exists to catch disease, not to describe your best.
What does your Vitamin B12 number mean?
Under 200 pg/mL, your report marks it low. Between 200 and 900 it prints as normal. Over 900, your report marks it high. Where the people we follow draw their own line is above.
Is Vitamin B12 of 550 normal?
Your lab will call it normal. Dr. Mark Hyman puts the floor at 900 pg/mL, so by that number it is low.
What does the Vitamin B12 test measure?
The B-twelve circulating in your blood. Your nerves and your blood cell production both need it. A shortage can damage nerves before anaemia appears.
Where does this number come from?
Dr. Mark Hyman, on video. The link above jumps straight to that minute.