VIT B12 (Cobalamin)

When is a Vitamin B12 Test Used?

A vitamin B12 test is typically ordered when a person shows symptoms of a B12 deficiency or to monitor treatment if they have already been diagnosed with low B12 levels. Common symptoms of deficiency can include:

• Fatigue or weakness
• Pale skin
• Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
• Difficulty walking or balance problems
• Memory loss or mood changes (e.g., depression, irritability)
• Glossitis (inflamed, sore tongue)

Vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause anemia, which may be detected through other blood tests like a Complete Blood Count (CBC).

Causes of Vitamin B12 Deficiency:

• Dietary Deficiency: People who follow a strict vegetarian or vegan diet are at risk since B12 is primarily found in animal products.
• Malabsorption: Conditions like Celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, or gastric bypass surgery can affect the absorption of B12.
• Pernicious Anemia: An autoimmune condition that affects the stomach’s ability to produce intrinsic factor, a protein necessary for B12 absorption.
• Age: As people age, the ability to absorb vitamin B12 from food may decrease.
• Medications: Some medications, like proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or metformin (for diabetes), can interfere with B12 absorption.