Vitamin B12 Level

VITAMIN B12 LEVEL

The vitamin B12 level is a blood test that measures how much vitamin B12 is in your blood.

WHY SHOULD I GET TESTED?

To diagnose anemia and neuropathy, to evaluate nutritional status, and to monitor treatments for Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency.

WHEN SHOULD I GET TESTED?

This test should be ordered if a complete blood count (CBC) comes back with abnormal results. Abnormal results include macrocytosis (when a blood smear shows large red blood cells) or abnormal, hyper-segmented neutrophils.

Weakness, exhaustion, and pale skin are symptoms indicating anemia. Loss of memory, eye twitching, or tingling/itching sensations could be due to neuropathy. If you are experiencing these symptoms, this test can help lead to one of these diagnoses. If you are currently being treated for Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, it is important to order this test to monitor the effectiveness of these treatments.

Why do I need this test?
Your provider may also recommend a vitamin B12 test if you have certain nervous system symptoms. A low level of B12 can cause numbness or tingling in the arms and legs, weakness, and loss of balance.

Other conditions for which the test may be done include:
✔Sudden severe confusion (delirium).
✔Loss of brain function (dementia).
✔Dementia due to metabolic causes.
✔Nerve abnormalities, such as peripheral neuropathy.