Vitamin B12 test: Uses, Procedure, Get vitamin B12 test @ flat 50 % discount

What is Vitamin B12 test?

Vitamin B12 also known as cobalamin or cyanocobalamin is a water-soluble vitamin and is a component of B-complex vitamins. Foods of animal origin are the natural sources of vitamin B12 such as meat, fish, eggs, poultry, cheese and dairy products etc. It is released from food in the acidic medium of stomach and get absorbed with the help of Intrinsic factor released from the parietal cells of gastric glands. There are two metabolically active form of Vitamin B12 in our body namely Methylcobalamin and Adenosylcobalamin.

Vitamin B12 play many vital functions in our body including:

DNA synthesis
Formation of blood cells
Myelination
Devolvement and proper functioning of CNS (central nervous system)
Act as a cofactor for enzymes such as Methionine synthase and Methylmalonyl CoA mutase.

Vitamin B12 test is used for the evaluation of Vitamin B12 in your serum or urine and provide an assay of total body stores of Vitamin B12.

Why do I need vitamin B12 test?

Vitamin B12 test is usually indicated for the following purposes:

Symptoms or signs of vitamin B12 deficiency such as:

Muscle weakness
Paraesthesia
Numbness
Tingling sensation
Anemia
Mental abnormalities
Cognitive impairment
Irritation
Unexplained drowsiness
Fatigue
Lethargy
Loss of proprioception
Loss of vibration
Spasticity
Ataxia
Muscle spasm
Hyperreflexia
Positive Romberg sign
Psychological abnormality
Defects in vision etc.

Screening, diagnosis and monitoring of diseases and conditions due to vitamin B12 deficiency including:

Pernicious Anemia
Megaloblastic anemia
Homocysteinemia
Cardiovascular disease
Defective myelination
Peripheral neuropathy
Degeneration of spinal cord
Defect in synthesis of neurotransmitters
Dementia
Optic atrophy
Bilateral centrocecal scotoma
Folate trap (functional deficiency of Vitamin B9 also known as folic acid).

Who are prone for Vitamin B12 deficiency?

Vegans
Strict vegetarians
Pregnant women
Lactating mothers
Infant of vegetarian mothers
Children
Old age
Chronically ill patients
Patients of gastric bypass surgery etc.

What are the causes of Vitamin B12 deficiency?

Causes of Vitamin B12 deficiency includes:

Inadequate intake of Vitamin B12 in diet
Vegans
Strict vegetarians
Chronic alcohol intake

Drugs such as:

H2 receptor blockers such as Ranitidine, cimetidine.
Proton pump inhibitors such as Pantoprazole, omeprazole.
Metformin
Chloramphenicol etc.
Pernicious Anemia
Atrophic gastritis
Congenital vitamin B12 malabsorption syndrome
Hereditary intrinsic factor defect
Celiac disease
Crohn’s disease
Intestinal parasitic infection
Gastrointestinal surgeries.

High levels of Vitamin B12 is seen in which conditions?

An abnormally high level of Vitamin B12 above the normal range is usually uncommon as Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin and an excess amount of Vitamin B12 is removed via urine. However, an elevated level of Vitamin B12 can be detected in following conditions:

Diabetes
Kidney diseases affecting Vit B12 excretion
Liver diseases
Blood cancers such as Leukemia.
Polycythemia Vera.

How much Vitamin B12 is recommended for daily intake?

Recommended Dietary allowance (RDA) for Vitamin B12 intake is different for different individuals depending upon their age, sex and nutritional requirements. Given below table summarizes the AI (Adequate intake) and RDA for Vitamin B12 intake:

Category	AI (Adequate intake)	RDA
Birth-6 months	0.4 mcg/day	-
7-12 months	0.5 mcg/day	-
1-3 years	-	0.9 mcg/day
4-8 years	-	1.2 mcg/day
9-13 years	-	1.8 mcg/day
14 years & above	-	2.4 mcg/day
Pregnancy	-	2.5- 2.8 mcg/day
Lactation	-	2.5 mcg/day
Old age	-	2.4 mcg/day

What samples are required for Vitamin B12 test?

Blood (Serum) sample is usually required for Vitamin B12 assay/test. However, urine analysis can also be done to assess levels of Vitamin B12.

How do I prepare for Vitamin B12 test?

Follow these simple steps if you are going for Vitamin B12 test:

Take an appointment: Fix an appointment in a diagnostic lab having the facility of Vitamin B12 testing.
Fasting: 6-8 hours is usually required for Vitamin analysis. Take a light meal the night before your test.
Medications: Inform your doctor about all the drugs and supplements that you are currently taking. Certain drugs may alter the test result. Your doctor may advice some modifications before the test if required.
Alcohol: Avoid alcohol intake before the test as it may alter the test results.

What is the procedure for Vitamin B12 test?

The procedure of Vitamin B12 test includes the following steps:

First a torniquet will be tied around your arm.
Then a cotton swab soaked with 70% alcohol is used to clean/disinfect the injection site before needle insertion.
Then a small needle will be inserted in the vein of your arm and required amount of blood is withdrawn from it and collected in a test tube.
Then the needle is removed and an adhesive sticker is placed on the puncture site to prevent it from infections.
Sample is sent to laboratory for further processing and testing.

What is the risk/side effects of Vitamin B12 test?

Vitamin B12 test is a safe procedure for screening and detection of vitamin B12 deficiency or its abnormally high level with usually no side effects. However, some individuals may experience some of the side effects mentioned below:

Pain at injection site.
Hematoma
Multiple punctures to locate vein in those where veins are not easily assessable.
Bleeding at puncture site, especially patients having bleeding or clotting disorders or those on anticoagulant therapy.
Infection at puncture site or thrombophlebitis.

How long it takes to get Vitamin B12 test report?

Vitamin B12 test reports are usually available within 24 hours of sample collection.

Vitamin B12 report analysis?

Values of Vitamin B12 assay/test may vary from lab to lab as different labs follow different references. Vitamin B12 report can be analyzed as following:

Level of vitamin B12	Interpretation
200-800 pg/ml	Normal
<200 pg/ml	Deficiency/low
>800 pg/ml	Excess/High

Description of terms used:

pg- Picogram

ml - Milliliter

Cost of Vitamin B12 test in Delhi?

Price of Vitamin B12 test depends upon many factors such as city and locality. Different diagnostic labs charges according to the quality of machines they have and various offers that they are providing to their customers.

Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging centre (GDIC), Rohini also known as GDIC is currently offering 50% discounts on various tests including Vitamin B12 test. Our centers are NABH and NABL accredited and equipped with modern, highly expensive machines with latest cutting-edge technologies and highly skilled Radiologists and Pathologists.We follow strict aseptic conditions to prevent transmission of infections.

Prices of various test used for the screening and diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency or toxicity at Ganesh Lab (GDIC) are as following:

Serum Vitamin B12

~~₹ 1050~~ - ₹ 525 BOOK NOW

Vitamin B12 Active (Holotranscobalamin) Test

~~₹ 1800~~ - ₹ 900 BOOK NOW

Vitamin B12 Binding Capacity Unsaturated Transcobalamin Test

~~₹ 9500~~ - ₹ 4750 BOOK NOW

Hurry! Grab the best deals now!

Best diagnostic centre for Vitamin B12 test in Delhi?

Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC) is the best diagnostic center for Vitamin B12 test in Rohini, North-East Delhi.

We have many branches in different locations of Delhi including Hari Nagar, Yamuna Vihar, Nangloi, Derawal Nagar and Mangol puri. Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center is now considered one of the most popular and affordable Diagnostic centers in Delhi.

We provide high standard quality services to our patients. Our labs are NABH and NABL certified. Genuine reporting and Patient satisfaction are our top priority. We offer seamless integration between diagnosis and treatment planning.

Currently, we are offering 50% discount on Various types of Blood tests including Vitamin B12 test.

We are open 24x7 and 365 days. You can also avail free Consultation with our Pathologist regarding any blood test or imaging scans.

We also offer facilities of online reporting, free home sample collection and free Ambulance services in Delhi, NCR. We are empanelled with various departments and organizations. So, you can get the services at panel rate too.

Our empanellment with different departments and organisations: