Vitamin B12
Understanding Vitamin B12
What is Vitamin B12?
The Vitamin B12 test measures the level of vitamin B12 in the body. Vitamin B12 is vital for healthy brain and nerve function, energy production, and red blood cell formation. Its deficiency can cause problems with brain function and other health issues.
Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, belongs to the B complex group of vitamins. It is vital for making red blood cells, repairing cells and tissues, and maintaining a healthy brain and nerves. Most of the vitamin B12 requirements can be fulfilled by taking a balanced diet. Vitamin B-rich food sources include fish, meat, dairy, and cereal. However, in severe deficiency cases, supplementation may be needed.
The Vitamin B12 test is usually done if you experience deficiency symptoms, such as:
- Weakness
- Mouth ulcers
- Appetite loss
- Numbness
- Muscle weakness, etc.
It also helps determine the response to vitamin B12 therapy in conditions like anemia. Additionally, this test is an important monitoring parameter to maintain a healthy pregnancy, as low vitamin B12 levels have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes like anemia, low birth weight, and growth retardation of the baby.
Usually, no special preparation is required for this test. Eat and drink as per the daily routine. However, let the doctor know about all the medications being taken, as some can affect the test results.
Test result ranges are approximate and may differ slightly between labs depending on the methodology and laboratory guidelines. Talk to the doctor about the specific test results. Narrate the complete medical history to help them correlate your clinical and laboratory findings. The test results will help the doctor determine the medical condition, make recommendations for lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise, determine whether or not supplements will be required to manage the overall health, and formulate the treatment plan.
Lifestyle Tips to Power Up Your Vitamin B12 Levels:
🥤Hydration: Stay hydrated! Drinking enough water supports vitamin B12 absorption in the body.
🥗Eat (Diet): Eat B-12-rich foods such as meat, fish, eggs, and fortified cereals if vegan or vegetarian.
🚴♀️Activity (Exercise): Regular moderate exercise training can help increase vitamin B12 levels.
😴 Lifestyle (Stress): Practice yoga, meditation, or deep breathing to support optimal vitamin B12 absorption.
👨⚕️Talk to Your Doctor (Consult): Do not self-medicate and avoid taking high doses of vitamin B12 supplements.
🍺Habits (Alcohol & Smoking): These habits can impair vitamin B12 absorption.
What is Vitamin B12 used for?
The Vitamin B12 test is done:
In Symptomatic Individuals
- Numbness
- Muscle weakness
- Rapid breathing or shortness of breath
- Problems with vision
In High-Risk Groups
- Medical condition affecting vitamin B12 absorption (such as Crohn’s disease, gastrectomy)
- Anemia
In Special Population
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Elderly
- Infants with ambiguous genitalia and other intersex conditions
In Individuals With Lifestyle-Related Risks
- Follow a vegan or vegetarian diet
- Chronic alcohol consumption
What does Vitamin B12 measure?
The Vitamin B12 test measures your vitamin B12 levels. Vitamin B12 is essential for various health aspects, such as maintaining a healthy nervous system, making red blood cells, and creating the genetic material of our cells. Low vitamin B12 levels are more likely to occur in older adults, children, vegans, vegetarians, people with diabetes, individuals who underwent gastric bypass surgery, women who are breastfeeding, and in conditions that impact absorption of this vitamin, like Crohn’s disease. Higher vitamin B12 levels seen in patient on vitamin supplement does not need treatment as excessive vitamin B12 is usually removed through the urine. However, some conditions, such as liver diseases and myeloproliferative disorders, can cause an increase in vitamin B12 levels, thereby affecting blood cell production.
Interpreting Vitamin B12 results
Interpretations
The normal range is 211 - 911 pg/mL, irrespective of sex and age.
High levels of Vitamin B12 may be seen in:
-
Kidney failure
-
Diabetes
-
Liver disease
Low levels of Vitamin B12 may be seen in:
-
Anemia
-
Hyperthyroidism (high levels of thyroid)
-
Worm infection
Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Vitamin B12
Frequently Asked Questions about Vitamin B12
Q. Why is the Vitamin B12 test done?
Q. What are the signs and symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency?
Q. What is the cause of vitamin B12 deficiency?
Q. What are the risks associated with vitamin B12 deficiency?
Q. Which bodily functions use vitamin B12?
Q. Can vitamin B12 deficiency cause depression?
Q. How will an adequate amount of vitamin B12 benefit me?
Q. How can I raise my vitamin B12 levels naturally?
Q. What is the role of vitamin B12 in pregnancy?
Q. Name some of the vitamin B12-rich fruits?
Q. What is the normal range for vitamin B12 levels?
Q. What are the best vitamin B12 sources for vegetarians?
Q. What are some common vitamin B12 sources in non-vegetarian foods?
Q. What is the Vitamin B12 test price?
Q. How can I ensure I’m getting enough vitamin B12 if I follow a vegetarian or vegan diet?
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References
- Vitamin B12 [Internet]. FDA; Jan. 2021 [Accessed 16 Mar. 2023]. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2021/080737Orig1s040lbl.pdf
- Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anemia. NHS; 20 Feb. 2023 [Accessed 16 Mar. 2023]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamin-b12-or-folate-deficiency-anaemia/
- Duggan C, Srinivasan K, Thomas T, Samuel T, Rajendran R, Muthayya S, Finkelstein JL, Lukose A, Fawzi W, Allen LH, Bosch RJ, Kurpad AV. Vitamin B-12 supplementation during pregnancy and early lactation increases maternal, breast milk, and infant measures of vitamin B-12 status. J Nutr. 2014 May. [Accessed 16 Mar. 2023]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3985831/#:~:text=Pregnant%20women%20in%20resource%2Dpoor,weight%2C%20and%20intrauterine%20growth%20retardation.
- Gemici AI, Sevindik ÖG, Akar S, Tunca M. Vitamin B12 levels in familial Mediterranean fever patients treated with colchicine. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2013. [Accessed 16 Mar. 2023]. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24064015/
- Rodriguez V, Gonzales KM, Iqbal AM, et al. Pancytopenia secondary to autoimmune vitamin B12 deficiency in Graves disease. AACE Clin Case Rep. 2020;6(6):e282-e285. 23 Jun. 2020 [Accessed 16 Mar. 2023]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7685417/#:~:text=To%20describe%20a%20case%20of,to%20severe%20anemia%20and%20pancytopenia.
- Sahu P, Thippeswamy H, Chaturvedi SK. Neuropsychiatric manifestations in vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitam Horm. 2022 [Accessed 16 Mar. 2023]. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35337631/#:~:text=Vitamin%20B12%20deficiency%20can%20have,screening%20of%20at%2Drisk%20populations.
- Vitamin B12 [Internet]. NHS; 26 Mar. 2024 [Accessed 24 Apr. 2025]. Available from: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/
- Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Military Nutrition Research; Marriott BM, editor. Nutritional Needs in Hot Environments: Applications for Military Personnel in Field Operations. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 1993. 8, The Effect of Exercise and Heat on Vitamin Requirements. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK236216/
- Ankar A, Kumar A. Vitamin B12 Deficiency. [Updated 2024 Sep 10]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441923/
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