Vitamin B12
Understanding Vitamin B12
What is Vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12 test measures the levels of Vitamin B12 in blood. Vitamin B12 is needed for brain health, blood cell production, and proper nerve functioning. People who are obese or eat a lot of meat also tend to have higher-than-normal levels of this vitamin and are more prone to liver disease and diabetes.
For people with high levels of B-12, treatment involves adjusting diet by eating fewer animal products, while for people with low levels, the treatment includes use of Vitamin B12 injection and supplements.
What is Vitamin B12 used for?
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To diagnose anemia
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To diagnose neuropathy (numbness and pain due to nerve damage)
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To evaluate nutritional status
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To monitor the treatment for Vitamin B12
What does Vitamin B12 measure?
Contains 2 tests
Vitamin B12 is a part of B complex of vitamins. Vitamin B12 is also called as Cobalamin. It is a water soluble vitamin. Vitamin B12 plays an important role in formation of normal red blood cells, repair of tissues, DNA synthesis and genetic material in cells. It is not produced in the body and has to be taken in diet. The diet sources include red meat, fish, milk, poultry, yoghurt, eggs, fortified cereals, breads and other grain products. It can also be taken in the form of Vitamin B12 tablets or multivitamin pills. The deficiency of Vitamin B12 results in macrocytic anemia (size of red blood cells larger than normal).
Megaloblastic anemia is a type of macrocytic anemia, in which large size red blood cells called as macrocytes are produced. These red blood cells are fewer in number. There is a decrease in white blood cell count and platelet count. Megaloblastic anemia occurs due to acquired deficiency of Vitamin B12. The reason can be an inadequate dietary intake of Vitamin B12 or any problem in the absorption of Vitamin B12 from the intestines.
In case of problem in the absorption of Vitamin B12 from intestines, it is known as Pernicious anemia. It occurs due to lack of intrinsic factor which is present in secretions of the stomach.
Vitamin B12 is also important for nerve health and is taken as a nutritional supplement for the treatment of nerve damage.
Vitamin B12 binds with intrinsic factor (protein secreted by cells in the stomach). After binding, a complex is formed which is absorbed by the small intestine. In case of any disease interfering in this process can cause weakening of absorption of Vitamin B12.
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Calcium
Calcium (Ca) Test measures the levels of calcium in blood. Calcium is essential for body processes including cell signaling, blood clotting, contraction of muscles, and functioning of nerves. It plays a crucial role in the formation and maintenance of healthy bones. Deficiency of calcium results in Osteoporosis, a disease in which the bones lose their density and become soft and fragile, causing them to fracture very easily.
About 99% of the total amount of calcium received by the body is bound as calcium complex in bones, and the remaining 1% lies in blood circulation. Of the amount of calcium circulating in the blood, about half remains bound to albumin protein or other ions and are metabolically inactive, while the remaining half remains free and metabolically active. Blood Calcium tests can be of two types: Total Calcium Test used to measure the total calcium concentration in blood including both the free and bound forms, and Ionized Calcium Test used to measure the concentration of only the metabolically active form.
Calcium levels in the blood are maintained within a very narrow range by a number of mechanisms. Deviation from the normal range of calcium concentration causes Hypocalcemia (low levels of calcium), or Hypercalcemia (excess of calcium). Both these conditions impact normal body processes in the short term and may give rise to other conditions in the long term.
A blood calcium test cannot be used to check for a lack of calcium in your diet or for osteoporosis (loss of calcium from bones) as the body can have normal calcium levels even in case of dietary deficiency of Calcium. The body can augment mild calcium deficiency by releasing the calcium stored in bones.
Know more about Calcium
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:
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Kidney failure
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Diabetes
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Liver disease
Low levels of Vitamin B12 may be seen in:
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Anemia
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Hyperthyroidism (high levels of thyroid)
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Worm infection
Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Vitamin B12
Frequently Asked Questions about Vitamin B12
Q. What are the risks associated with deficiency of Vitamin B12?
Q. What are the signs and symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency?
Q. Is there any risk associated with this test?
Q. In what conditions there can be malabsorption of Vitamin B12 test?
Q. When does the doctor advise Vitamin B12 test?
Q. Can any medicine cause deficiency of Vitamin B12?
Q. Are there any other factors which cause deficiency of Vitamin B12?
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