Vitamin B12 Test: Purpose, Procedure & Test Cost

For our well-being, we need a balanced diet. A balanced diet comes from nutrients. One of the nutrients is vitamin b12. Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin. It plays major functions in our body along with folic acid (vitamin B9) and vitamin C. 

Some of the major functions of vitamin b12 in combination with folic acid and vitamin C are 

• Production of proteins
• Production of RBC &WBC
• Tissue Repair
• DNA synthesis
• Maintaining proper health of our nerves

So, we can see that Vitamin B12 plays an important role in the healthy functioning of our body. Its deficiency and excess can lead to various kinds of diseases. Therefore, we must be aware of the following facts:

• What Is a Vitamin B12 Test?
• What is the purpose of a Vitamin B12 test?
• Vitamin B12 Procedure - All You Should Know
• Are there any risks associated with the Vitamin B12 test?
• What is the cost of the Vitamin B12 test?
• Where to get the best Vitamin B12 facility?
• Why choose HealthcareOnTime?

What is a Vitamin B12 Test?

Vitamin B12 test is recommended by a physician or doctor to check the status of Vitamin B12 in our body. It tells the doctor if you have normal, deficient, or excess Vitamin B12 in your body. 

A Vitamin B12 test is recommended when you have symptoms like

• Pins and needles in the hands and feet
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Blurred vision
• Mood swings
• Pale skin
• Numbness in hands or feet
• Tingling effect in the hands or feet
• Breathlessness
• Irritability
• Messed up hand-eye coordination
• Decreased appetite

Sometimes, vitamin b12 deficiency is accidentally found. Like if you complain about symptoms like fatigue, tiredness, and pale skin then you might suffer from anemia. To confirm this doctor suggests a CBC test. In the CBC test, there is the component that is known as MCV. MCV tells us the volume of RBC that helps a doctor diagnose and treat your ailment. If the CBC test report is not right, then a doctor might recommend other tests. If the MCV count is high, then the doctor might suggest a vitamin B12 test. To know more about the CBC test, click here.

Also, if your doctor suspects that you may have pernicious anemia. Symptoms include

• diarrhea or constipation
• exhaustion
• loss of appetite
• pale skin
• inflamed red tongue
• gums that bleed

High Serum Folate Levels

Folic acid test measures the level of folic acid in the blood or serum. Folic acid is necessary for your body’s growth and development. It helps in the production of red and white blood cells and platelets. High serum folate levels in the body may mask vitamin B-12 deficiency and worsen the symptoms.

What is the purpose of a Vitamin B12 test?

As we know Vitamin B12 in combination with folic acid and Vitamin C performs some major tasks in our body. Hence, its deficiency or excess leads to health problems and in turn affects our well-being. 

Some of the diseases are life-threatening like megaloblastic anemia or pernicious anemia. This is a condition where the red blood cells are affected. The size of RBCs becomes large and the shape becomes oval. Due to the wrong shape and size of RBCs hemoglobin taken up by the RBC is not accurate and this leads to oxygen shortage in our body. Oxygen shortage can lead to brain damage and in severe cases death. 

A Vitamin B12 test is suggested because vitamin b12 helps in the production of RBCs. If the RBC count is low then you might suffer from anemia. Thus, we can see that Vitamin B12 deficiency can also be accidentally diagnosed.

If vitamin b12 count is abnormal, the test help healthcare professionals find out the reason behind such count and also gives the correct method of treatment.

Vitamin B12 Procedure - All You Should Know

Vitamin B12 test is just like other blood tests. You have to visit your chosen diagnostic lab for the test purpose. After visiting the lab the vitamin b12 test procedure includes 

• A healthcare professional will first numb the area from where the blood will be drawn.
• Then, an elastic strap will be wrapped around your arm.
• The healthcare professional will draw blood in a tube with the help of a syringe.
• After the tube becomes filled with blood the strap is removed.
• The patient is asked to rest for a while and cotton is placed on the area from where the blood was taken.

After the blood sample is taken for the test, you need to wait patiently for the test reports. After you get the report you need to consult your doctor for further treatment.

Are there any risks associated with the Vitamin B12 test?

Vitamin B12 is a simple blood test. There are no major risks associated with the test. However one should be careful about the below complications:

• Excessive bleeding
• Fainting or feeling lightheaded
• Multiple punctures to locate veins
• Hematoma (blood buildup under the skin)
• Infection (at the site where the blood is drawn)

You should immediately consult a doctor if you face the above complications.

What is the cost of the Vitamin B12 test?

The vitamin b12 blood test cost in India ranges from Rs. 400 to Rs. 1100. However, b12 blood test cost may differ on the lab you have chosen, the place you belong to, and if you combine it with other tests like CBC test. 

Where to get the best Vitamin B12 facility?

If your doctor has suggested for Vitamin B12 test then you must do it from a nice lab to get a proper report of your test. There are numerous diagnostic labs available for this test.

If you rely on my suggestion then I would recommend HealthcareOnTime. The vitamin b12 test price at HealthcareOnTime is affordable with quality service.

To know more about the b12 test price at HealthcareOnTime, click here. 

What causes Vitamin B12 deficiency?

The major source of vitamin b12 is non-vegetarian food like red meat, fish, eggs, etc. So, people who are vegetarian and vegan might get vitamin b12 deficiency. 

But this does not mean that non-veg people don’t get vitamin b12 deficiency.

Certain diseases might result in malabsorption of vitamin b12 deficiency like 

• Celiac disease
• Chronic Gastritis
• Pernicious anemia

What is the test for Vitamin B12 deficiency?

Few tests find out vitamin b12 deficiency in our body. The tests include-

• CBC test- This is a complete blood count test that checks the shape and sizes of RBCs.
• Vitamin B12 level- It checks the volume of vitamin b12 in our body.
• Intrinsic factor antibodies- It is a special protein that tells immune cells to attack the intrinsic factors. Intrinsic factors help in the absorption of vitamin b12 in the intestine. 
• Schilling effect- This test help finds out if you have enough intrinsic factors in the body.
• Methylmalonic Acid Level (MMA)- This test helps to find the level of MMA in the body. When vitamin b12 is low then the level of MMA rises in our body.