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vitamin B12 in serum/plasma
Reference values:
- Vitamin B-12: 210-920 pg/mL (< 100 pg/mL is diagnostic)
Clinical significance:
Serum folate, serum Vitamin B-12 & red blood cell folate are among the most common tests ordered in the investigation of anemia. Since deficiency of either vitamin may be a cause of megaloblastic anemia, it is essential to determine the levels of both Vitamin B-12 & folic acid to establish the etiology of the anemia. Vitamin B-12 is an essential cofactor in intermediary metabolism & is required for the biosynthesis of DNA. Untreated vitamin B-12 deficiency may lead to severe anemia & potentially irreversible central nervous system degeneration. Folic acid is required in cellular metabolism & hematopoiesis, & prolonged folic acid deficiency may lead directly to megaloblastic anemia.
Decreases:
- vitamin B12 deficiency
* no evidence that vitamin B12 deficiency plays a role in Alzheimer's disease, dementia [3], or vascular pathology despite increase plasma homocysteine [4]
Principle:
- see vitamin B12/folate measurement
Specimen:
- see vitamin B12/folate measurement
Related
vitamin B12; cobalamin
General
vitamin B12 in body fluid
References
- Vitamin B12
Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: 70150
- Mini Panel of 2 tests: Folate, Serum . Vitamin B12
Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: 70160
- Arendt JFH, Horvath-Puho E, Sorensen HT et al
Plasma Vitamin B12 Levels, High-Dose Vitamin B12 Treatment, and Risk of Dementia.
J Alzheimers Dis. 2021;79(4):1601-1612
PMID: 33459639 PMCID: PMC7990402 Free PMC article
- Geriatric Review Syllabus, 11th edition (GRS11)
Harper GM, Lyons WL, Potter JF (eds)
American Geriatrics Society, 2022
Component-of
anemia panel
folate + vitamin B12 in serum/blood