How The Test Is Performed
Certain medicines may affect the results of this test.
Do I Need The Test?
Your doctor may recommend you have one for a few different reasons, such as: You’ve been diagnosed with anemia. You’re taking medications that may interfere with B12 absorption.
You have symptoms linked to low B12 levels. You follow a vegan or strict vegetarian diet. Crohn’s disease and celiac disease may also cause your B12 levels to go down.
Medications called proton-pump inhibitors reduce the amount of acid in the stomach, which is needed for food to release B12.
Why Is A Vitamin B-12 Level Test Useful?
The results can help doctors to determine if abnormal vitamin B-12 levels are causing symptoms. They may experience movement problems in addition to delayed development.
It often affects older adults or those who are lacking intrinsic factor. A doctor may use the results of a vitamin B-12 test to help form their diagnosis.
What Is Vitamin B12?
(Methyl)cobalamin, more commonly known as vitamin B12, is an essential dietary nutrient.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency – Are You At Risk?
The body uses vitamin B12 very wisely, simultaneously using, recycling, and storing it. You are at a higher risk of B12 shortage if you are:
Vegan or vegetarian [11, 12, 13]
Pregnant or breastfeeding [14, 15]
A heavy alcohol drinker [16, 17]
Obese [18, 19, 20]
Suffering from a gut disorder that reduces your ability to absorb dietary B12 (such as Crohn’s disease) [21, 22, 23]
Older, as the gut becomes less efficient at absorbing nutrients with age [24, 25, 22]
Infected with HIV/AIDS [26, 27].