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If your symptoms and blood test results suggest a vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, your GP may arrange further tests. If the cause can be identified, it'll help to determine the most appropriate treatment.
- Symptoms
See a GP if you're experiencing symptoms of vitamin B12 or...
- Causes
Like vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia, folate deficiency...
- Vitamins and Minerals
How much vitamin B12 do I need? Adults (aged 19 to 64) need...
- Treatment
The most common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency in the UK is...
- Symptoms
NICE recommends using the following thresholds to interpret test results: Confirmed deficiency — total B12 (serum cobalamin) concentration less than 180 nanograms/L (133 picomol/L) or active B12 concentration (serum holotranscobalamin) less than 25 picomol/L.
If your symptoms and blood test results suggest a vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, your GP may arrange further tests. If the cause can be identified, it will help to determine the most appropriate treatment.
- What is a vitamin B-12 deficiency?
- When does your doctor order a vitamin B-12 test?
- Who needs to take a vitamin B-12 test?
- Side effects and risks of a B-12 test
- Types of B-12 tests and how they’re performed
- Interpreting B-12 test results
- How to manage your B-12 levels
- What to eat to prevent vitamin B-12 deficiency
Vitamin B-12 is an important vitamin for many bodily functions, such as brain health, blood cell production, and proper nerve functioning. There are several ways to test your B-12 levels. You can get your blood drawn or take a home urine test. These tests will look at the levels of your:
•overall vitamin B-12
•methylmalonic acid (MMA)
•homocysteine
•holotranscobalamin (holoTC)
Research suggests that MMA and holoTC may be more accurate at reading low B-12 levels because they represent active B-12. Low B-12 levels can lead to:
Your doctor might recommend a B-12 test if you have:
•tingling in the hands and feet
•problems with balance
•a racing heart
•confusion
•dementia
Your body doesn’t naturally produce vitamin B-12. It comes from animal products like fish, meat, and dairy. People who are at risk for vitamin B-12 deficiency are:
•older adults
•children
•vegans
•strict vegetarians
•people with diabetes
You might feel a pricking when your healthcare provider inserts the needle into your arm. But a blood draw is low risk and generally painless. It’s also possible to feel a little sore or observe bruising on your arm for a few days after. Alert your healthcare provider if the pain is throbbing or if your arm swells after the test.
Talk to your doctor before the test if you have a bleeding disorder, such as hemophilia, or if you’ve had problems with blood clotting in the past. It’s possible to experience excessive bleeding where the needle punctures your skin.
Preparing for a blood test
Your healthcare provider will tell you not to eat or drink for about six to eight hours before your test. You’ll want to make sure you’re well hydrated on the days before the test. During the test, your healthcare provider will clean a small area of your arm or elbow with an antiseptic wipe or alcohol pad. They might wrap an elastic band around the top of your arm to increase the flow of blood. Your healthcare provider will then insert the needle into your vein and collect your blood. Once enough blood is drawn, your healthcare provider will remove the needle and apply a bandage. Your blood sample is then taken to a lab to measure for vitamin B-12 or other markers, like holoTC.
Preparing for the home tests
It’s possible to test your B-12 levels at home. Home test kits cost about $50.00 each and can be purchased online. Most home kits test your urine for the presence of MMA, which is linked to early stages of a vitamin B-12 deficiency. You may need to send your urine sample to a laboratory. These kits will include a jar and mailing instructions. Others will include test strips that you dip into your urine sample yourself, allowing you to read your results right away.
Both high and low levels of vitamin B-12 may indicate an underlying problem. Low levels of B-12 can suggest anemia, an internal parasite, and hyperthyroidism. High levels of B-12 may increase your risk for cancer, according to Medical Daily.
High levels of B-12 can also be a sign of:
•liver disease
•certain types of leukemia
•diabetes
•kidney failure
For people with high levels of B-12, treatment involves adjusting your diet. This may mean eating less animal products like meats, dairy, and seafood.
If you’re diagnosed with a B-12 deficiency, the goal of treatment is to increase your level of vitamin B-12. Your treatment may include:
•vitamin B-12 injection, with more frequent injections for those with severe deficiencies
•daily vitamin B-12 supplements, such as Cyanocobalamin, which is a manmade vitamin B-12
•regular administration of liquid B-12 through the nose
•adhering to a diet rich in vitamin B-12
Many cases of B-12 deficiency are rooted in underlying health problems, but it’s possible to take preventative measures. Preventative measures include paying close attention to your diet, especially if you’re vegetarian or vegan.
One serving of fortified breakfast cereal may fulfill 25 to 100 percent of your daily intake value, depending on the brand. Three ounces of cooked salmon has about 80 percent of your daily intake value.
You can also find B-12 in:
•seafood
•liver, pork, and beef
•chicken and poultry
- Mara Tyler
Jan 10, 2023 · Suspect you may have a vitamin B12 deficiency? Find out what the symptoms are and how to test your B12 at home, in this guide. Learn more today.
Deficiency of vitamin B12 or folate are the most common causes of megaloblastic anaemia. Megaloblastic anaemia is characterized by the development of larger than normal red blood cells (macrocytosis), with immature nuclei due to defective DNA synthesis.
People also ask
How is vitamin B12 & folate deficiency anaemia diagnosed?
How do you know if you have vitamin B12 deficiency?
Is there a flaw in vitamin B12 testing?
Should I go to a GP to check my vitamin B12 levels?
How do I know if I have a low B-12 level?
Do you need a B12 blood test?
May 10, 2019 · If you're deficient in vitamin B12, you could become anaemic. Signs you're low include: Tiredness, lethargy, feeling faint, and becoming breathless. Headaches, heart palpitations, altered taste, loss of appetite, and ringing in the ears (tinnitus). Pale skin.
