Vitamin B12
Understanding Vitamin B12
What is Vitamin B12?
The Vitamin B12 test measures the level of vitamin B12 in the body. Vitamin B12 is vital for healthy brain and nerve function, energy production, and red blood cell formation. Its deficiency can cause problems with brain function and other health issues.
Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, belongs to the B complex group of vitamins. It is vital for making red blood cells, repairing cells and tissues, and healthy brain and nerves. Most of the vitamin B12 requirements can be fulfilled by taking a balanced diet. Vitamin B-rich food sources include fish, meat, dairy, and cereal. However, in severe deficiency cases, supplementation may be needed.
The Vitamin B12 test is usually done if you experience deficiency symptoms, such as weakness, mouth ulcers, appetite loss, numbness, muscle weakness, etc. It also helps determine the response to vitamin B12 therapy in conditions like anemia. Additionally, this test is an important monitoring parameter to maintain a healthy pregnancy, as low vitamin B12 levels have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes like anemia, low birth weight, and growth retardation of the baby.
Usually, no special preparation is required for this test. You may eat and drink as per your daily routine. However, let your doctor know about all the medications you take, as some can affect the test results.
Test result ranges are approximate and may differ slightly between labs depending on the methodology and laboratory guidelines. Talk to the doctor about your specific test results. Narrate your complete medical history to help them correlate your clinical and laboratory findings. The test results will help the doctor determine your medical condition, make recommendations for lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise, determine whether or not supplements will be required to manage your overall health and formulate your treatment plan.
What is Vitamin B12 used for?
The Vitamin B12 test is usually done:
- As part of a routine checkup to monitor your overall health.
- As a monitoring parameter for a healthy pregnancy in pregnant women.
- If you have symptoms of low vitamin B12 levels, such as weakness, fatigue, painful tongue, frequent mouth ulcers, feeling of pins and needles (mostly in feet or hands), etc.
- If you have been diagnosed with pernicious anemia.
- If you are on medications that may interfere with vitamin B12 absorption.
- If your doctor suspects a medical condition that affects vitamin B12 absorption in your body.
- To evaluate the nutritional status (poor diet or malnutrition).
- To monitor the treatment for vitamin B12 deficiency.
What does Vitamin B12 measure?
The Vitamin B12 test measures your vitamin B12 levels. Vitamin B12 is essential for various health aspects, such as maintaining a healthy nervous system, making red blood cells, and creating the genetic material of our cells. Low vitamin B12 levels are more likely to occur in older adults, children, vegans, vegetarians, people with diabetes, individuals who underwent gastric bypass surgery, women who are breastfeeding, and in conditions that impact absorption of this vitamin, like Crohn’s disease. Higher vitamin B12 levels seen in pateint on vitamin suplement does not need treatment as excessive vitamin B12 is usually removed through the urine. However, some conditions, such as liver diseases and myeloproliferative disorders, can cause an increase in vitamin B12 levels, thereby affecting blood cell production.
Interpreting Vitamin B12 results
Interpretations
The normal range is 211 - 911 pg/mL, irrespective of sex and age.
High levels of Vitamin B12 may be seen in:
-
Kidney failure
-
Diabetes
-
Liver disease
Low levels of Vitamin B12 may be seen in:
-
Anemia
-
Hyperthyroidism (high levels of thyroid)
-
Worm infection
Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Vitamin B12
Frequently Asked Questions about Vitamin B12
Q. Why is the Vitamin B12 test done?
Q. What are the signs and symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency?
Q. What is the cause of vitamin B12 deficiency?
Q. What are the risks associated with vitamin B12 deficiency?
Q. Which bodily functions use vitamin B12?
Q. Can vitamin B12 deficiency cause depression?
Q. How will an adequate amount of vitamin B12 benefit me?
Q. How can I raise my vitamin B12 levels naturally?
Q. What are some of the common food sources of vitamin 12?
Q. What is the role of vitamin B12 in pregnancy?
Book a Vitamin B12 test at home near me
References
- Vitamin B12 [Prescribing Information]. FDA; Jan. 2021 [Accessed 16 Mar. 2023]. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2021/080737Orig1s040lbl.pdf
- Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anemia. NHS; 20 Feb. 2023 [Accessed 16 Mar. 2023]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamin-b12-or-folate-deficiency-anaemia/
- Duggan C, Srinivasan K, Thomas T, Samuel T, Rajendran R, Muthayya S, Finkelstein JL, Lukose A, Fawzi W, Allen LH, Bosch RJ, Kurpad AV. Vitamin B-12 supplementation during pregnancy and early lactation increases maternal, breast milk, and infant measures of vitamin B-12 status. J Nutr. 2014 May. [Accessed 16 Mar. 2023]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3985831/#:~:text=Pregnant%20women%20in%20resource%2Dpoor,weight%2C%20and%20intrauterine%20growth%20retardation.
- Gemici AI, Sevindik ÖG, Akar S, Tunca M. Vitamin B12 levels in familial Mediterranean fever patients treated with colchicine. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2013. [Accessed 16 Mar. 2023]. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24064015/
- Rodriguez V, Gonzales KM, Iqbal AM, et al. Pancytopenia secondary to autoimmune vitamin B12 deficiency in Graves disease. AACE Clin Case Rep. 2020;6(6):e282-e285. 23 Jun. 2020 [Accessed 16 Mar. 2023]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7685417/#:~:text=To%20describe%20a%20case%20of,to%20severe%20anemia%20and%20pancytopenia.
- Sahu P, Thippeswamy H, Chaturvedi SK. Neuropsychiatric manifestations in vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitam Horm. 2022 [Accessed 16 Mar. 2023]. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35337631/#:~:text=Vitamin%20B12%20deficiency%20can%20have,screening%20of%20at%2Drisk%20populations.
Other tests
