A Vitamin B12 test measures the quantity of Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) in your blood. This nutrient is indispensable for the synthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and for maintaining healthy nerves and blood cells. Humans need to obtain Vitamin B12 through their diet, with meat, eggs, and dairy being rich sources, as the body cannot synthesise it.
In India, 47% of the population suffers from a deficiency in Vitamin B12. This may result in macrocytic anaemia, a disorder that may induce neuropathy and cause tingling or numbness in the hands and feet. Therefore, getting tested for Vitamin B12 levels in Hyderabad is crucial for preventing these health issues and ensuring overall well-being.
Vitamin B12 Test Parameters
The human body processes Vitamin B12 from food through a two-step procedure. First, hydrochloric acid in the stomach breaks down the foods containing Vitamin B12. Then, Vitamin B12 binds with a protein called the intrinsic factor, produced by the stomach. This combination is absorbed by the digestive system. Vitamin B12 supports red blood cell creation, cell and tissue repair, and the maintenance of the myelin sheath, essential for normal nerve function.
The single parameter of the Vitamin B12 test is the measurement of the amount of Vitamin B12 in the serum or plasma (the liquid part of the blood). It is therefore referred to as the serum Vitamin B12 blood test.
Vitamin B12 Test Preparation
Important details about the Vitamin B12 test blood include:
Prerequisites
Fasting is not required prior to the Vitamin B12 test.
Best Time to Get Tested
A Vitamin B12 test can be conducted at any time of day.
Who Should Get a Vitamin B12 Test
People of all ages can suffer from Vitamin B12 deficiency. Those showing symptoms like weakness, nausea, or irritability should consider getting tested.
Cautions Before Taking Vitamin B12 Test
Certain medications, such as proton pump inhibitors, might influence the test results. It is crucial to notify your doctor of any medications you are on before taking the test.
Why Take a Vitamin B12 Test?
When a complete blood count shows low haemoglobin, large red blood cells, or atypical white blood cells, a Vitamin B12 test might be advised by your doctor. You might also need this test if you have symptoms like:
Weight loss
Sore mouth or tongue
Vision problems
Impaired walking or speech
Irritability
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea
Reduced appetite
Severe tiredness or weakness
Tingling or numbness in your extremities
Yellowish skin
Mood swings and behavioral changes
Memory difficulties or confusion
Depression
You may also need a Vitamin B12 test if:
You follow a plant-based diet, a B12 is naturally found only in animal products.
You take medications that can lower B12 levels (e.g., diabetes or peptic ulcer medications).
You are over 70, as the elderly are more susceptible to B12 deficiency due to less efficient nutrient absorption.
You are pregnant, requiring more B12 for the baby’s development.
You have digestive disorders such as celiac disease or Crohn's disease, which impede B12 absorption.
You have Sjögren's syndrome, which raises the risk of B12 deficiency.
You are being treated for malnutrition or a B12 deficiency, as the test can help assess treatment success.
You drink excessive amounts of alcohol, which can damage the digestive system and reduce B12 levels.
Doctors may also suggest checking homocysteine levels, which can help diagnose a B12 deficiency and its cause. This helps in facilitating an appropriate treatment.
Vitamin B12 Results & Interpretation
Normal Vitamin B12 Range
The normal range for Vitamin B12 is 239-931 pg/mL
Understanding Test Results
Low Levels
A low Vitamin B12 level may indicate a deficiency due to:
Insufficient dietary intake, particularly in vegetarians
Weight loss surgeries and other surgical procedures
Gastrointestinal disorders like atrophic gastritis
Elevated homocysteine levels
Genetic conditions like transcobalamin II deficiency
Malabsorption issues linked to Crohn's disease, celiac disease, pancreatitis, or small bowel resection
Infection by fish tapeworm
Absence of intrinsic factor or the presence of intrinsic antibodies (common in pernicious anaemia)
Increased demand during the final trimester of pregnancy can also cause reduced Vitamin B12 levels. Your doctor may also advise checking your folate levels simultaneously with vitamin B12 as both are necessary for proper cell function.
High Levels
High levels of Vitamin B12 are uncommon because the body usually excretes excess amounts in urine. Conditions that might lead to increased Vitamin B12 levels include:
Acute hepatitis
Cirrhosis
Drug-induced cholestasis
Chronic kidney disease
Protein malnutrition
Polycythaemia vera
Congestive heart failure
Myelogenous or promyelocytic leukaemia
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Metastatic liver disease
If you have unexpected Vitamin B12 levels, it is important to seek guidance and interpretation from your doctor.
FAQs on Vitamin B12 in Hyderabad
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