It’s quite a sensitive & complex subject, as such we will do our best at providing a clear and concise article to clear any doubts you may have.
Why Is A Vitamin B-12 Level Test Useful?
Signs and symptoms of deficiency include: confusion
dementia
depression
difficulty maintaining balance
fast heartbeat
numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
poor memory
a sore mouth or tongue Infants with vitamin B-12 deficiency may fail to thrive. Pernicious anemia People with symptoms of pernicious anemia may also need a vitamin B-12 level test. It often affects older adults or those who are lacking intrinsic factor.
High serum folate levels can mask the symptoms of vitamin B-12 deficiency and make its neurological symptoms worse. They can also increase the likelihood of anemia. A doctor may use the results of a vitamin B-12 test to help form their diagnosis.
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Blood Tests
Different types of blood tests can be carried out to help identify people with a possible vitamin B12 or folate deficiency. This is why it’s important for your symptoms to be taken into account when a diagnosis is made. This means it measures forms of vitamin B12 that are “active” and can be used by your body, as well as the “inactive” forms, which cannot.
If a significant amount of the vitamin B12 in your blood is inactive, a blood test may show that you have normal B12 levels, even though your body cannot use much of it.
Do I Need The Test?
They suspect you have a medical condition that affects how well your body absorbs B12. You follow a vegan or strict vegetarian diet.
Crohn’s disease and celiac disease may also cause your B12 levels to go down. Several types of medications might affect your vitamin B12 levels. Among the most common are drugs to help treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Metformin, a drug for diabetes, also may interfere with B12 absorption.