If you’re here then you’ve probably Google’d about: what is good vitamin b12 level.
How The Test Is Performed
Certain medicines may affect the results of this test. Your health care provider will tell you if you need to stop taking any medicines.
Do I Need The Test?
They suspect you have a medical condition that affects how well your body absorbs B12.
You’re taking medications that may interfere with B12 absorption. 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). Medications called proton-pump inhibitors reduce the amount of acid in the stomach, which is needed for food to release B12. If you’re not taking any of these medications or haven’t been diagnosed with pernicious anemia or other health problems that might cause lower B12 levels, your doctor may order the test based on your symptoms and dietary or health history.
Why Is A Vitamin B-12 Level Test Useful?
Researchers believe that up to 15 percent of people in the United States have vitamin B-12 deficiency. It often affects older adults or those who are lacking intrinsic factor. Intrinsic factor is a substance in the stomach that binds to vitamin B-12 so that the body can absorb it.
Symptoms of pernicious anemia include: constipation
fatigue
loss of appetite
pale skin
weakness
weight loss High serum folate levels Serum folate is the level of folic acid in the blood. High serum folate levels can mask the symptoms of vitamin B-12 deficiency and make its neurological symptoms worse. Symptoms of other conditions An abnormally high vitamin B-12 status can be an early sign of liver disease, diabetes, or certain types of leukemia.
What Is Vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12 Deficiency – Are You At Risk?
For this reason, vitamin B12 deficiencies are quite rare and usually result from a very long-term shortage [10].