A Vitamin B12 test analyses the level of Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) in the blood, an essential nutrient crucial for maintaining healthy nerve cells and blood cells. Vitamin B12 also aids in the synthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), the genetic material found in every cell of the body. Since the human body cannot produce Vitamin B12 on its own, it needs to get it through food items such as eggs, dairy, and meat.

In India, around 47% of people suffer from Vitamin B12 deficiency, which can lead to macrocytic anaemia, a condition that might result in neuropathy, resulting in tingling or numbness in the hands and feet. Therefore, getting a Vitamin B12 test in Delhi is important to prevent any potential complications and ensure overall health.

Before taking a Vitamin B12 blood test, consider the following:

Prerequisites

There is no fasting requirement for the Vitamin B12 test.

Best Time to Get Tested

A Vitamin B12 test can be taken at any time of the day.

Who Should Get a Vitamin B12 Test

Vitamin B12 deficiency can occur at any age. Anyone with symptoms like weakness, nausea, or irritability should get tested.

Cautions Before Taking Vitamin B12 Test

Medications like proton pump inhibitors can impact test outcomes. Inform your doctor about any medications you are taking prior to the test.

Your doctor might recommend a Vitamin B12 test if your full blood count shows low haemoglobin, enlarged red blood cells, or abnormal white blood cells. This test is also necessary if you have symptoms such as:

• Irritability

• Tingling or numbness in your hands and feet

• Yellowish skin

• Nausea or vomiting

• Diarrhoea

• Loss of appetite

• Extreme fatigue or weakness

• Weight loss

• Soreness in your mouth or tongue

• Vision issues

• Problems with walking or speaking

• Changes in mood or behaviour

• Depression

• Difficulty with memory or confusion

Additionally, you might need a Vitamin B12 test if:

• You are undergoing treatment for malnutrition or a B12 deficiency, as the test helps monitor treatment effectiveness.

• You are pregnant, which increases the need for Vitamin B12 to support the growing baby.

• You have digestive disorders like celiac disease or Crohn's disease, which make B12 absorption difficult.

• You follow a plant-based diet, since B12 is found naturally in animal products.

• You are older than 70, as the elderly have a higher risk of B12 deficiency due to reduced nutrient absorption.

• You take medications that can lower B12 levels (e.g., diabetes or peptic ulcer medications).

• You have Sjögren's syndrome, significantly raising the risk of deficiency.

• You consume excessive alcohol, which can damage the digestive system and reduce B12 levels.

Your doctor might also recommend checking homocysteine levels, a marker that can help diagnose B12 deficiency and its underlying cause, aiding in determining appropriate treatment.

Normal Vitamin B12 Range

The normal range for Vitamin B12 is 239-931 pg/mL

Understanding Test Results

Low Levels

Low levels of Vitamin B12 can signal a deficiency, potentially caused by:

• Conditions like atrophic gastritis affecting the gastrointestinal tract

• Genetic disorders, such as transcobalamin II deficiency

• Lack of intrinsic factor or intrinsic antibodies (seen in pernicious anaemia)

• Surgical procedures like weight loss surgeries

• Diseases causing poor absorption, such as Crohn's disease, celiac disease, pancreatitis, and resected small bowel

• Fish tapeworm infection

• High homocysteine levels

• Dietary deficiencies, particularly among vegetarians

Increased Vitamin B12 requirements during the final trimester of pregnancy can also result in lower levels. Since Vitamin B12 and folate work together to maintain cell functions, your doctor may also recommend a folate test.

High Levels

An elevated level of Vitamin B12 is rare because excess Vitamin B12 is typically excreted in urine. However, some conditions that may result in increased Vitamin B12 levels include:

• Protein malnutrition

• Drug-induced cholestasis

• Polycythaemia vera

• Metastatic liver disease

• Acute hepatitis

• Cirrhosis

• Chronic kidney disease

• Congestive heart failure

• Myelogenous or promyelocytic leukaemia

• Hepatocellular carcinoma

It is crucial to get additional testing and interpretation from your doctor if the findings of your vitamin B12 test are unusual.