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Testosterone Total + Vitamin B12 + Vitamin D (25-OH)

Testosterone Total + Vitamin B12 + Vitamin D (25-OH) near me in Kochi

For men & women

Earliest reports in

42-48 hours

Contains

3 tests

Know more about this test

Testosterone Total + Vitamin B12 + Vitamin D (25-OH) test consists of three tests, namely, testosterone total, vitamin D & B12 in both men and women. Testosterone (a male sex hormone) is present in both men and women, but the levels are significantly higher in men, influencing various aspects such as sexual development, muscle and bone health, mood, and energy. Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that can be synthesized in the body upon healthy exposure to sunlight or absorbed from dietary sources. Vitamin B12 is necessary for various health aspects, such as maintaining a healthy nervous system, making red blood cells, and creating the genetic material of our cells. These tests are required for assessing general well-being and will help your doctor formulate an individualized treatment plan for you.

Samples required

Blood

Preparations

No special preparation is required.

Sample Collection

Who will collect your samples?

What does Testosterone Total + Vitamin B12 + Vitamin D (25-OH) measure?

Contains 3 tests

Vitamin B12

The Vitamin B12 measures the amount of vitamin B12 in your blood. Vitamin B12 is important for a healthy nervous system, making red blood cells, and creating DNA in your cells. Low B12 levels are common in older adults, children, vegans or vegetarians, people with diabetes, those who had gastric bypass surgery, breastfeeding women, and people with conditions like Crohn’s disease that affect vitamin absorption. High B12 levels can occur in liver diseases, certain blood disorders, or from taking vitamin supplements. Usually, high levels from supplements are not harmful, as extra B12 is removed through urine.

What Do the Results Mean?

Pathological Factors

Test Parameter	Interpretation (possible causes)
Low levels	Anaemia Term pregnancy Intrinsic factor deficiency Partial gastrectomy/ileal damage Celiac disease Parasitic infestation Pancreatic deficiency Treated epilepsy Hemodialysis
High levels	Renal failure Hepatocellular disorders Myeloproliferative disorders and at times with excess Supplementation of vitamin pills.

Physiological Factors

🧒 Age: Older adults may absorb less vitamin B12 due to lower stomach acid.

🫄 Pregnancy: Higher nutritional needs during pregnancy can temporarily lower B12 levels.

💊 Hormones: Hormone therapy or birth control pills can slightly affect B12 absorption.

Lifestyle Factors

🥗 Diet: Vegetarian or vegan diets without animal products may lead to low B12 intake.

🍷 Alcohol: Excessive alcohol can reduce B12 absorption and storage in the liver.

🚬 Smoking: Smoking cigarettes may reduce vitamin B12 activity.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.

What Do Normal Vitamin B12 Levels Mean?

Normal B12 levels show that your body has enough vitamin B12 for healthy red blood cells, nerve function, and metabolism. This helps maintain energy, mood, and brain health.

What Do High Vitamin B12 Levels Mean?

High B12 levels are uncommon. They can happen due to too many supplements or health conditions like liver or kidney problems, or certain blood disorders. Your doctor may order extra tests to find the cause.

What to Do If Your Vitamin B12 Is High?

Do not stop supplements suddenly. Your doctor will review your medical history, medications, and may suggest tests to check liver, kidney, or blood health. Often, adjusting supplements is enough to bring levels back to normal.

What Do Low Levels of Vitamin B12 Indicate?

Low vitamin B12 levels suggest a deficiency, which can lead to anemia, fatigue, and nerve damage if left untreated. Common causes include:

Poor dietary intake (especially in vegetarians or vegans)
Malabsorption due to gastric or intestinal issues
Pernicious anemia
Certain medications (e.g., metformin, proton pump inhibitors)
Treatment usually involves vitamin B12 supplements or injections based on deficiency severity.

Can Vitamin B12 Results Be Inaccurate?

Yes. While the test is reliable, results may sometimes be inaccurate due to recent vitamin B12 injections or supplements, pregnancy or hormonal therapy, liver or kidney diseases affecting vitamin metabolism, or laboratory variations in sample handling.

What Factors Can Affect Vitamin B12 Results?

Though it is a reliable test, several factors can influence accuracy:

Recent intake of vitamin B12 supplements or injections
Liver or kidney disorders
Alcohol consumption or chronic illness
Use of medications like metformin or oral contraceptives
Pregnancy or hormonal therapy

What Follow-Up Tests May Be Required?

Based on your Vitamin B12 results, your doctor may recommend additional tests to get a clearer picture of your health or to monitor possible complications. These may include:

Table: Tests Commonly Ordered Alongside Vitamin B12

Test Name	Primary Purpose
Folate (Vitamin B9) Test	Check folate levels, since low folate can also cause anemia similar to B12 deficiency.
Homocysteine Test	Measure homocysteine in the blood, which can rise when B12 is low.
Methylmalonic Acid (MMA) Test	Detect early B12 deficiency by measuring MMA, which increases when B12 is low.
Complete Blood Count (CBC) Test	Provide details about red blood cells and hemoglobin to indicate type of anemia.
Intrinsic Factor Antibody Test	Detects autoimmune causes of B12 deficiency.
Gastrointestinal Absorption Tests	Checks if the stomach or intestines are absorbing B12 properly, e.g., after gastric surgery or in conditions like Crohn’s disease.

How Does the Vitamin B12 Test Differ from Other Blood Tests?

It is important to understand how the Vitamin B12 test differs from other common blood tests:

Complete Blood Count (CBC): Checks overall blood health and red blood cells. CBC can suggest anemia but doesn’t show the cause. Vitamin B12 specifically measures the nutrient needed to produce healthy red blood cells.

Folate (Vitamin B9) Test: Folate levels also affect red blood cell production. Unlike B12, folate deficiency alone does not directly indicate nerve or brain-related issues.

Iron Studies: Tests like serum iron or ferritin detect iron-related anemia. Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia occurs even if iron levels are normal.

Homocysteine & Methylmalonic Acid (MMA): These are functional tests that rise when B12 is low. The Vitamin B12 test directly measures the B12 level, making it the first step to detect deficiency.

Know more about Vitamin B12

Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy)

The Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) test measures the levels of vitamin D in the body. Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that can be synthesized in the body upon healthy exposure to sunlight or absorbed from dietary sources. It exists in two forms: vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). Vitamin D2 is present in plants, such as yeast or mushrooms, and is available as a supplement in fortified foods. Vitamin D3 is found in foods like cheese, green vegetables, mushrooms, egg yolks, and fatty fish.

Both forms of vitamin D need to be converted in the liver and kidneys before the body can use them effectively. This test shows the total level of vitamin D (D2 + D3) circulating in the body and guides your doctor in recommending the right treatment or lifestyle changes if needed.

What Do the Results Mean?

Pathological Factors

Test Parameter	Interpretation (possible causes)
Normal / Optimal	Sufficiency Possible causes: HPT (Hyperparathyroidism) Humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy
Low	Deficiency Possible causes can be renal failure, hyperphosphatemia, vitamin D–dependent rickets, types 1 and 2
Borderline / Moderate Low	Insufficiency (due to inadequate dietary intake or low sunlight exposure)
High / Excess	Hypervitaminosis Possible causes can be sarcoidosis, non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Key: ⇧: Indicates High Levels , ⇩: Indicates Low Levels

Physiological Factors

🧒 Age: Older adults synthesize less vitamin D from sunlight primarily because of age-related changes in their skin.

🫄 Pregnancy: Vitamin D demand increases during pregnancy for fetal bone development.

💊 Hormonal Influence: Hormonal changes or contraceptive use may alter vitamin D metabolism.

Lifestyle Factors

🌤️ Sun Exposure: Limited sunlight reduces vitamin D synthesis.

🥗 Diet: Low intake of vitamin D-rich foods (like fish, egg yolks, or fortified dairy) can cause deficiency.

🍷 Alcohol Consumption: Chronic alcohol use affects liver function, impacting vitamin D metabolism.

🚬 Smoking: Smoking is closely associated with reduced bone density and altered vitamin D activity.

What Do Normal Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) Levels Mean?

Normal vitamin D levels indicate your body has sufficient vitamin D for bone health, muscle strength, and immune function.

What Do High Levels of Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) Indicate?

High vitamin D levels may occur due to excessive supplementation or conditions like sarcoidosis or hyperparathyroidism. Persistently high levels can cause vitamin D toxicity, leading to high blood calcium (hypercalcemia), which may result in nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, and, in severe cases, kidney stones or kidney damage.

What to Do if Your Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) Is Higher Than Normal?

If your Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) level is high, consult your doctor for further guidance. They may review your dosage, identify causes of high calcium like excess supplement intake, or check for conditions such as hypercalcemia. Do not stop or adjust supplements without your doctor’s advice.

What Do Low Levels of Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) Indicate?

Low levels suggest deficiency, which may cause weak bones, muscle pain, or fatigue. Common causes include:

Lack of sunlight exposure
Poor dietary intake
Malabsorption syndromes (e.g., celiac disease)
Obesity or liver/kidney disease

Treatment involves lifestyle changes, dietary improvement, or vitamin D supplements.

Can Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) Results Be Inaccurate?

Yes. Results may vary due to recent supplement intake, laboratory variations, or conditions affecting vitamin D metabolism, such as liver or kidney disease. In some cases, additional tests may be advised to confirm the deficiency.

What Factors Can Affect Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) Results?

Though it is a reliable test, some circumstances can influence accuracy:

Recent vitamin D or calcium supplement intake
Limited sun exposure
Chronic illness or liver/kidney disorders
Malabsorption syndromes
Obesity or hormonal imbalances

Know more about Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy)

Testosterone Total

The Testosterone Total test measures the level of testosterone hormone available in the blood. This includes two forms of testosterone: free testosterone and bound testosterone. Bound testosterone is attached to proteins, mainly to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and albumin. It cannot enter the body's cells or directly affect tissues and organs. Instead, it acts as a store of testosterone in the blood and can be released when the body needs it. Free testosterone is not attached to any proteins and is the active form. It can easily transport to various tissues, and affects key functions like sex drive, muscle growth, bone strength, and energy levels.

Know more about Testosterone Total