What is the Vitamin B12 test?

Vitamin B12 is used to determine if your body is getting enough Vitamin B12 through food intake. Weakness, loss of appetite, problems with balance, dementia, confusion, etc., could be a few symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency. A Vitamin B12 test will evaluate the following symptoms and their potential cause.

The normal range for vitamin B12 (total) is 200 – 1100 nanograms per litre, 200 – 1100 picograms per millilitre, or 148 – 811 picomoles per litre. The normal range for active vitamin B12 (holoTC) is 20 – 134 picomoles per litre. Depending on different measurements and sample preparation methods followed by labs, these values can vary slightly.

You might need a Vitamin B12 test to determine B12 status in your body. Your doctor might recommend a Vitamin B12 test if you have symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency or you are at higher risk of low Vitamin B12 in your body.

For a Vitamin B12 test, blood is drawn from the inner side of the elbow or back of the hand through venepuncture and stored in an air-tight vial or syringe. This sample is then prepared as required by the specific test. This process is pretty painless; however, some people can experience slight tingling or throbbing.

Normal ranges of Vitamin B12 (total) is 200 – 1100 nanograms per litre, 200 – 1100 picograms per millilitre, or 148 – 811 picomoles per litre. The normal range for active vitamin B12 (holoTC) is 20 – 134 picomoles per litre.

Values above 200 – 1100 nanograms per litre, 200 – 1100 picograms per millilitre, or 148 – 811 picomoles per litre for Vitamin B12 9total), and 20 – 134 picomoles per litre for Active Vitamin B12 are considered high.

Common symptoms indicating high Vitamin B12 levels are headaches, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, anxiety, weakness and fatigue, and tingling sensation in hands and feet. High levels of Vitamin B12 usually occur during treatment for Vitamin B12 deficiency.

Vitamin B12 deficiency is often overlooked or misdiagnosed as the symptoms are not specific to Vitamin B12 deficiency. B12 is present in everyday foods; B12 deficiency is still relatively common and usually occurs due to limited dietary intake, malabsorption, certain risks, existing health conditions, and treatments for B12 toxicity.

Common sources of Vitamin B12 are animal meat, eggs, liver oil, fortified cereals, and dairy. Certain fruits and vegetables also are a source of Vitamin B12 like bananas, apples, berries, Spinach, Beetroot, Potatoes, Mushrooms, etc.

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