Vitamin B12 Test - Price, Purpose, Procedure, & Normal Range

Table of Content

Introduction to Vitamin B12 Test

Feeling persistent fatigue, numbness or tingling, difficulty breathing, or cognitive difficulties? These could be early indications of a Vitamin B12 Deficiency. Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that has a significant role in keeping our body’s blood & nerve cells healthy while supporting DNA synthesis. Not having adequate levels of vitamin B12 in the body can lead to several health problems. Doctors often suggest a Vitamin B12 Test to measure the levels of Vitamin B12 in your blood, identify deficiencies (if any) & provide preventive measures to ensure better care and management of the condition. The test helps with the early detection of the problem and promotes optimal care. You may be asked to go for Vitamin B12 Test depending on your symptoms, family history & other risk factors. Redcliffe Labs is the diagnostic service provider for you to book Vitamin B12 Test at home for just Rs 499.

With years of experience, expertise, excellence, and Express slots, we make the best diagnostic care available to everyone, regardless of age, gender, and other factors. Whether you want to book Vitamin B12 Lab Test or Vitamin B12 Test at home, Redcliffe Labs is the best omnichannel Pan India diagnostic service provider that you can rely on.

Vitamin b12 Test Details Brief:

Understanding Vitamin B12 

Vitamin B12 is a member of the B-group vitamins that help the brain and nerves function and produce energy and red blood cell formation. It is also known as cobalamin. A healthy and balanced diet helps provide the body with the right amount of vitamin B12. However, vegans or vegetarians somewhat lack this vitamin. 

The best sources of vitamin B12 are fish, meat, dairy products, and cereals. If you have signs of weakness, mouth ulcers, appetite loss, or muscle weakness, you are experiencing a vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 deficiency occurs when your body doesn’t get enough vitamin or is not absorbing it from the food you eat. As a result, your body neither works properly nor makes red blood cells (RBCs), DNA, energy production, or nerve function due to vitamin B12 inadequacy. 

A two-step process is involved in helping the body absorb vitamin B12 food:

• First, hydrochloric acid separates vitamin B12 from the food it is linked to. 
• Second, the removed vitamin B12 combines with an intrinsic factor. The body absorbs them together. 

Vitamin B12 deficiency can be treated. Early detection improves treatment outcomes and prevents long-term complications. Consult a doctor when you experience symptoms for proper testing and treatment. 

Usually, doctors recommend the vitamin B12 test to determine the deficiency and check the response of the vitamin B12 treatment. 

Daily Requirements of Vitamin B12 

Vitamin B12 absorption differs from age, sex, and diet. Here is the daily requirement of vitamin B12, as per age. 

Symptoms That Call For Vitamin B12 Test:

Your doctor may observe several signs or symptoms before suggesting a B12 Blood Test. Such as:

• Persistent Fatigue: Yes! Constant fatigue may be related to several health issues but could also be a sign of Vitamin B12 deficiency.
• Neurological Symptoms: Vitamin B12 has a significant role in keeping your nervous system healthy. And if you are having symptoms like tingling or numbness in your hands or feet may indicate that Vitamin B12 levels are not balanced.
• Shortness Of Breath: Feeling breathless even during mild activity could indicate that your Vitamin B12 levels are not fine and need to be checked to confirm and control the condition.
• Unintended Weight Loss: Unexplained weight loss without any diet or routine changes is also a sign that you might have Vitamin B12 deficiency.
• Mood Changes: Constant mood swings also indicate that your Vitamin B12 levels are not balanced and should be managed while there is still time.
• Cognitive Difficulties: If you have trouble with memory concentration or cognitive function, it could be a sign your vitamin B12 needs to be tested.
• Pale Or Yellowish Skin: A change in the color of the skin indicates a potential issue with red blood cell production that could be affected due to Vitamin B12 deficiency.

Apart from the above symptoms, you may need Vitamin B12 Test if you are at a high risk of developing Vitamin B12 deficiency. Such factors are:

• Pernicious Anemia: People affected by this rare condition are at higher risk of developing Vitamin B12 deficiency, and a Vitamin B12 test is often suggested to confirm or rule out the risks.
• Digestive Disease: A Vitamin B12 Test is suggested for individuals with digestive disorders that can interrupt your body’s ability to absorb Vitamin B12.
• Gastritis: Gastritis is one of the common causes of Vitamin B12 deficiency, and individuals with such problems need this test to confirm the condition.
• Aging: You may also need Vitamin B12 Blood Test if you are an older adult, as aging disrupts the body’s ability to absorb Vitamin B12 and disbalances their nutritional needs.
• Medication: If you are on some medicines, some of their ingredients can also affect your Vitamin B12 levels. Therefore, monitoring it through the test is essential to assess the health & manage it better.
• Vegetarian Or Vegan: It is to be understood that Vitamin B 12 is commonly present in meat & dairy. Therefore, people who strictly follow a vegetarian diet or are vegan are more likely to develop Vitamin B 12 deficiency.
• Alcohol Abuse: Excessive alcohol consumption can drastically damage your digestive system and lead to Vitamin B12 deficiency.

It is crucial to understand that these are general indicators that you may need Vitamin B12 Deficiency Blood Test. However, these signs could be because of specific other health problems. Therefore, getting tested and determining your health status is essential to confirm the cause of your symptoms and act accordingly.

Symptoms can also be classified as physical, neurological, and psychological symptoms. 

Physical symptoms of vitamin B12 include:

• Weakness or tiredness 
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Loss of appetite 
• Unnecessary weight loss
• Sore mouth or tongue 
• Yellowish skin

Neurological symptoms of vitamin B12 include: 

• Numbness or tingling in hands or feet 
• Visionary issues 
• Confusion or loss of consciousness
• Difficulty in walking or speaking 

Psychological symptoms of vitamin B12 include: 

• Irritable 
• Depressed 
• Anxiety 
• Stress 
• Mood swings 

Side-effects of Vitamin B12 deficiency

Vitamin B12 controls your brain and nervous system. Deficiency of vitamin B12 can lead to: 

• Peripheral neuropathy 
• Degeneration of the spinal cord 
• Paralysis 
• Irregular bowel movements
• Urinary incontinence 
• Erectile dysfunction
• Depression 
• Stress or anxiety 
• Paranoia and delusions 
• Memory loss 

What is The Vitamin B12 Test Used For? 

The vitamin B12 test can be used for: 

• Monitoring the health of pregnant women
• Checking the reason for low vitamin B12 deficiency
• Diagnosing pernicious anemia
• Determining any interference by any medicine in the absorption of vitamin B12
• Evaluating the nutritional status, i.e., poor diet or malnutrition
• Monitoring the treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency
• Routine checkups to monitor your overall health
• If your doctor suspects any sign of vitamin B12 deficiency

What Does The Vitamin B12 Test Measure?

The primary function of vitamin B12 test is to measure vitamin B12 levels. Also, the test helps measure: 

• Various health aspects, such as a healthy nervous system. 
• Low vitamin B12 levels in older adults, children, vegans, vegetarians, people who had gastric bypass surgery, breastfeeding women, and diabetic people. 
• The health condition of people who underwent Crohn’s disease.
• High vitamin B12 levels in people with excessive intake of vitamin supplements. 
• Health conditions such as liver diseases and myeloproliferative disorders can affect blood cell production. 

What Does The Vitamin B12 Test Detect? 

The vitamin B12 test can help detect potential or current vitamin B12 deficiency. However, the vitamin B12 blood test can also detect: 

• If you have a lower level of hemoglobin than normal. 
• If your red blood cells are bigger than normal. 
• The level of vitamin B12 in your blood. 
• The level of folate in your blood. 

Benefits Of Vitamin B12 Test:

There are several benefits associated with the Vitamin B12 Deficiency Test. Such as:

• Detect Deficiency Early: By measuring Vitamin B 12 levels, the Vitamin B 12 Test helps confirm deficiencies or abnormalities. Early detection can lead to prompt treatment.
• Ensure Accurate Diagnosis: With an appropriate assessment of Vitamin B12 levels, the test can accurately diagnose your condition, identify underlying health conditions and help healthcare practitioners prescribe the correct course of treatment.
• Prevent Complication: Early detection can lead to early treatment that can prevent the severity and worsening of the condition.
• Improve Overall Wellbeing: The Vitamin B 12 Test helps monitor the status of their levels in your blood and act accordingly to manage them and support good health.

It is critical to consult a healthcare practitioner to interpret your test results, understand your health state and get guidance depending on your health condition. At Redcliffe Labs, we provide free doctor consultations with Vitamin B 12 Tests.

When Can A Doctor Recommend The Vitamin B12 Test? 

Vitamin B12 is an important vitamin that helps in the proper functioning of the brain and nervous system and also helps in the production of red blood cells. Your doctor might recommend the vitamin B12 test if they find the following signs in you. 

• Dementia 
• Loss of appetite 
• Confusion 
• A racing or fast heartbeat
• Balancing problem 
• Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
• Pernicious anemia (reduction in RBCs) 

Pernicious anemia is not common in people younger than 30 years of age. Normally, people aged 60 experience pernicious anemia. Its signs include: 

• Exhaustion 
• Diarrhea 
• Constipation 
• Loss of appetite 
• Pale skin 
• Inflamed red tongue 
• Bleeding gums 

Who Needs The Vitamin B12 Test? 

Food products such as fish, meat, dairy products, and cereals are among the best sources of vitamin B12. People who don’t consume enough are in high need of vitamin B12 blood tests. However, other people who are at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency include: 

• Old people 
• Vegans 
• Vegetarians 
• Diabetic people 
• Children 
• People who underwent gastric bypass surgery 
• New mothers 
• Breastfeeding mothers 
• People who take certain medicines, such as 

1. H2 receptor blockers 

2. Chloramphenicol or chloromycetin 

3. Proton pump inhibitors (Prilosec and prevacid) 

4. Metformin (for diabetes) 

Different Vitamin Tests/Packages You Can Book With Redcliffe Labs

Preparations Required For A Vitamin B 12 Test:

There are a set of rules that one needs to follow to be prepared for the Vitamin B 12 Level Test:

• It is a simple blood test that requires no fasting, which means you can eat or drink normally before the test.
• Keep your healthcare practitioner informed of the special diet you are following or if you are on some medication before the test so that they provide special instructions if required.
• You should sleep well and take rest before the test to keep your hormones in balance at the time of the blood draw.
• Keep anxieties or stress away, and if you have any concerns, it is good to communicate with your healthcare practitioner or phlebotomist to get your queries resolved and tested appropriately.

It is critical to follow the instructions of your healthcare practitioner to maintain accuracy in the test results and avoid possible discrepancies. We at Redcliffe Labs understand the value of accurate diagnosis. Therefore, we give brief instructions to an individual before the test to help them get tested appropriately.

Procedure Of A Vitamin B 12 Blood Test:

The steps involved in the Vitamin B 12 Blood Test are as follows:

• Before the test, it is crucial to follow all the instructions provided by your healthcare practitioner to keep the accuracy of test results intact.
• A phlebotomist will ask you to sit comfortably and locate the vein in your arm by tying a band and asking you to make a fist.
• They will then clean the area with an antiseptic and insert a needle into the vein to collect the required amount of blood sample.
• The collected blood will be transferred to a vial, and the phlebotomist will put a bandage over the punctured site for further protection and to stop any bleeding.
• The blood sample will be safely packed and sent to the laboratory for analysis and accurate diagnosis.

The steps involved are simple and will hardly take 5-10 minutes. Remember, the procedure might cause little discomfort or pain at the punctured site, but these symptoms will disappear shortly.

Risks Associated With Vitamin B12 

The vitamin B12 blood test is simple, with no or minor risks. Our phlebotomist will insert a sterile syringe into your vein, due to which you might experience:

• Hematoma 
• Slight pain 
• Excessive bleeding 
• Weakness 
• Fatigue 
• Nausea and vomiting 
• Brushes 
• Numbness 
• Tingling in the arm 
• Several punctured sites
• Blood clot (in rare cases) 

Vitamin B12 Normal Test Range:

The normal range for Vitamin B 12 is between 190-950 pg/mL. However, this measurement can vary from individual to individual, depending on the lab. If your test values are below 200 pg/mL, it indicates a deficiency, and your doctor may suggest additional tests to confirm or rule out the condition. On the contrary, if the levels are higher than the normal range, it indicates abnormally high levels of vitamin B 12. Your doctor may suggest additional tests to confirm the condition and prescribe preventive measures to manage them.

Pg-picograms, mL-milliliter 

Low or High Range 

If your vitamin B12 levels are outside the normal range, you have either low or high levels. 

Reason for Low Vitamin B12 Range

• Anemia 
• Hyperthyroidism 
• Worm infection 

Reason for High Vitamin B12 Range 

• Kidney failure 
• Diabetes 
• Liver diseases 

Tips To Balance Vitamin B12 Levels:

Whether you have Vitamin B 12 deficiency or high levels of Vitamin B 12 in your bloodstream, here is a list of some proven yet powerful tips to help you balance them. Such as:

• Eat Well: It is essential to include foods that can help you manage the deficiency or toxicity and support overall health. Your healthcare practitioner may observe your symptoms and suggest dietary changes accordingly.
• Limit Alcohol Consumption: Excessive alcohol consumption is one of the major causes that contribute to Vitamin B 12 deficiency. Therefore, it is advisable to moderate the quantity to ensure it doesn’t hurt your health.
• Avoid Smoking: Not just drinking, smoking is also responsible for decreasing Vitamin B 12, so quitting it would be good for optimal well-being.
• Manage Underlying Condition: Several chronic conditions can impact your Vitamin B 12 levels, and therefore, managing them in time is essential to stop their progress and save yourself from the worst.
• Get Regular Checkups: Regularly monitoring your Vitamin B12 levels is also crucial to keep a tab on the ups & downs of the levels and take steps to maintain optimal values.

These are only general tips that can support your health and help you keep your vitamin b12 levels balanced. However, consult your healthcare practitioner before making dietary or lifestyle changes, as they understand your health better and can guide you best.

How To Manage Vitamin B12 Levels? 

If the test results show a higher or lower range, you can manage it in several ways. Here's how to manage vitamin B12 levels. 

• If your reports show a high number, reduce the quantity of vitamin B12 foods (animal-based) in your diet. 
• If you have low vitamin B12 levels, you can increase it through: 

1. Vitamin B12 injection 

2. Vitamin B12 supplements (Cyanocobalamin) 

3. Carefully managing the intake of liquid vitamin B12 through the nose

4. A vitamin B12 rich diet

How To Prevent Vitamin B12 Levels? 

Prevention is the best thing one can do. Vitamin B12 deficiency sometimes results in a health problem. However, you can take preventive measures to manage vitamin B12 levels. 

If you are vegan or vegetarian, you should closely monitor your vitamin B12 levels because vegan or vegetarian diets contain less vitamin B12. 

Vegans should consult a nutritionist or take vitamin B12 supplements to fulfill their intake. 

Vegetarians can add one bowl of fortified cereals daily to fulfill 25 to 100 percent of daily value intake. 

Non-vegetarians can cook three ounces of cooked salmon (fish), which can provide up to 100 percent of their daily intake. 

Vitamin B12 is also present in: 

• Seafood 
• Pork 
• Beef 
• Chicken and poultry 
• Fortified soymilk 
• Dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese 
• Vitamin B12 supplements 
• Miso (a soy product) 

What Other Tests Can Your Doctor Recommend Along With Vitamin B12?

A vitamin B12 test is enough to detect the level. However, your healthcare provider may recommend tests such as: 

• Vitamin A 
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin K 
• Methylmalonic Acid Test 
• Homocysteine Test 
• Intrinsic Factor Antibody 
• Complete Blood Count (CBC) 
• Blood Smear 

Your doctor might suggest these other than vitamin B12 test because:

• To treat blood conditions if you have vitamin B12, folate, anemia, or any uncertain cause. 
• To check your condition during pregnancy and detect symptoms affecting your nervous system. 
• Check your digestive system's functioning if they suspect improper absorption of vitamin B12. 
• To detect an autoimmune condition where you cannot absorb vitamin B12 from your diet. 

Vitamin B12 Test Cost @ Redcliffe Labs

Being your trusted diagnostic partner, we take extra steps to ensure that you may receive a quality diagnostic experience. Therefore, the Vitamin B12 Test Price with Redcliffe Labs is just Rs 499 with a free home sample collection service. So, book a test to get tested comfortably & cost-effectively with us today.

Vitamin B12 Test Price in Different Cities

Reasons for low vitamin B12 range 

The reasons for low vitamin B12 levels or folate deficiency include: 

1. Inadequate dietary intake: One of the primary causes of vitamin B12 deficiency is inadequate dietary intake. Vitamin B12 is naturally present in animal-based foods such as meat, fish, eggs, and dairy. Following a vegan or vegetarian diet increases the risk of developing vitamin B12 deficiency unless consuming fortified foods or supplements. 

Additionally, if you are someone with eating disorders, which means insufficient overall calorie intake, this can also cause low B12. 

1. Pernicious Anemia is an autoimmune condition characterized by a weakened stomach lining (atrophic gastritis). In this condition, the stomach fails to produce intrinsic factors, proteins responsible for the absorption of vitamin B12. 
2. Gastrointestinal Disorders: In addition to inadequate dietary intake and pernicious anemia, gastrointestinal disorders such as celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease, and atrophic gastritis reduce vitamin B12 absorption in the body. 
3. Surgical Procedures: Sometimes, bowel resection surgeries or gastric bypass can cause vitamin B12 deficiency. 
4. Worm Infection: Small intestinal bacteria overgrowth (SIBO) can reduce B12 absorption. 
5. Medicinal Effects: Medicines such as H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors reduce stomach acid, which is essential for releasing B12 from food. 
6. Hyperthyroidism: Findings suggest a correlation between hyperthyroidism and vitamin B12 deficiency. Hyperthyroidism occurs due to metabolic impacts, autoimmune mechanisms, and gastrointestinal changes caused by the overproduction of thyroid hormones. 

Additionally, pregnancy, prolonged use of antibiotics, anti-seizure medications, and some medications for type 2 diabetes, such as metformin, may impact vitamin B12 absorption. 

7. Other reasons that may cause low vitamin B12 deficiency in the body include alcohol consumption, having Sjögren's syndrome over six times, age-related factors such as chronic atrophic gastritis, and rare genetic disorders such as Imerslund-Gräsbeck syndrome, and autoimmune conditions such as lupus or type 1 diabetes are associated with an increased risk of low B12. 

Reasons for High Levels of Vitamin B12

Hypercobalaminemia, or high levels of vitamin B12, is not only typically caused by dietary factors. They are often associated with underlying medical conditions or too much supplementation:

• Over supplementation: When you take an excess dose of vitamin B12, oral supplements, injections, or fortified foods, it can cause elevated vitamin B12. 
• Liver diseases: Conditions such as liver cirrhosis, hepatitis, or liver cancer result in increased B12 levels. Additionally, too much drinking is likely to damage the liver, resulting in increased B12 levels. 
• Kidney diseases: Impaired kidney function is associated with reducing the excretion of vitamin B12, resulting in blood accumulation. Additionally, inefficient vitamin B12 filtration can increase the levels and cause kidney failure. 
• Blood disorders such as leukemia, myeloproliferative disorders, or polycythemia vera can cause elevated vitamin B12 levels. 
• Autoimmune and inflammatory conditions: Diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus can cause high B12 levels. Additionally, autoimmune conditions such as hemolytic anemia destroy red blood cells (RBCs) and indirectly increase vitamin B12. 
• Cancer, such as liver cancer, can disrupt B12 metabolism, resulting in high levels. 
• Genetic or rare conditions: Rare genetic mutations can affect B12 transport proteins, causing elevated B12 levels. 

Skip The Guesswork & Book Your Vitamin B12 Test With Us Now!

Measuring Vitamin B12 Levels in time is essential to manage them before things turn ugly. Therefore, if you have symptoms or risk factors and your doctor has suggested getting tested, do not delay and book Vitamin B12 Test with Redcliffe Labs to get tested from home. Getting diagnosed is the only way to find the abnormalities going within; therefore, it should never be delayed. The early detection of the problem helps healthcare practitioners provide preventive measures & initiate treatment to control the progress of the condition to avoid complications to a possible extent. So, skip the guessing game, worry less, and book Vitamin B12 Blood Test for an accurate diagnosis.

Vitamin b12 Test Sample Report - Redcliffe Labs