Vitamin B12 Test

Vitamin B12 test is a blood test to measure the amount of vitamin B12 in the blood. Procedure will take nearly five minutes to complete. The blood sample is sent to a laboratory for testing.

In a collection center, a healthcare technician will collect a blood sample, using a small needle from the vein of your arm. There will be slight pain at the needle insertion site, which will quickly subside. The procedure will take only 5 minutes to complete and then you can leave immediately.

It is advisable to avoid eating or drinking anything except water for 8-12 hours before the test.

1. Vitamin B12 examination is usually done at the same time as a folic acidtest because the absence of either one or both can result in anemia called megaloblastic anemia.
2. A Vitamin B12 and folate test is often preferred to check for certain types of anemia.
3. The test is done if the blood report shows less red blood cell (RBC’s) count, decreased hemoglobin and hematocrit, or presence of enlarged RBC’s. Generally, a high RBC mean corpuscular volume (MCV) signifies that the red blood cells are enlarged.
4. People having pernicious anemia; is a rare blood disorder wherein the body is unable to absorb Vitamin B12 from the food. It is mostly due to the absence of a gastric protein called an intrinsic factor. Without this protein, Vitamin B12 cannot be absorbed.

You may require a Vitamin B12 test if you observe the following symptoms, such as –

1. Rashes on the body
2. Tingling, weakness, pins-and-needles sensation, or burning sensation in the hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy)
3. Cracked lips or mouth sores
4. Weight loss
5. Weakness
6. Fatigue
7. Depression
8. Dementia
9. Mood disturbances
10. Irregular heartbeats
11. Irritability
12. Aphthous ulcers
13. Sore tongue
14. Forgetfulness or confusion
15. Arthralgia (joint pain)
16. Breathlessness
17. Jaundice

There’s a high probability of vitamin B12 deficiency in the following conditions:

1. Celiac disease
2. Undergone gastric bypasssurgery
3. Anemia in family
4. Megaloblastic anemia
5. Malabsorptionor maldigestion syndrome
6. Prolonged use of ranitidinehydrochloride
7. Metformin, a diabetes drugmay restrict B12 dietary absorption
8. Very less dietary intake of animal products like eggs, fish, meat, and dairy products

Interpretation of Vitamin B12 lab test results –

Vitamin B12 test normal range – 200 – 900 pg/mL (picograms per milliliter), regardless of sex and age

For elderly people – 300 to 350 pg/mL

Usually, the test report is expected in 24 to 36 Hours

High Vitamin B12 concentrations are observed in:

1. Kidney failure
2. Liver diseases ((examples: cirrhosis or hepatitis) 
3. Diabetes (rarely)
4. Certain types of leukemia

Low Vitamin B12 concentration indicates –

Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia

Folic acid deficiency anemia

Hyperthyroidism

Fish tapeworm infection

Gastric surgery