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usually many doctors order vitamin B alone and treat patients on the lab result..this is wrong two other tests need to be available to take the lab result true before telling patient whether he is deficient or normal regarding vitamin B..
Vitamin B12 and folate are separate tests often used in conjunction to detect deficiencies and to help diagnose the cause of certain anemias, such as pernicious anemia, an autoimmune disease that affects the absorption of B12.
B12 and folate are two vitamins that cannot be produced in the body and must be supplied by the diet. They are required for normal red blood cell (RBC) formation, repair of tissues and cells, and synthesis of DNA, the genetic material in cells. B12 is essential for proper nerve function. (For more, see the "What is being tested?" section.)
B12 and folate tests may also be used to help evaluate an individual with an altered mental state or other behavioral changes, especially in the elderly. A B12 test may be ordered with folate, by itself, or with other screening laboratory tests such as a complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), antinuclear antibody (ANA), C-reactive protein (CRP) and rheumatoid factor (RF) to help determine why a person shows signs and symptoms of a condition affecting nerves (neuropathy).
Additionally, B12 and folate tests may be used in conjunction with an assortment of other tests to help evaluate the general health and nutritional status of a person with signs and symptoms of significant malnutrition or dietary malabsorption. This may include people with, for example, alcoholism, liver disease, gastric cancer, or individuals with malabsorption conditions such as celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or cystic fibrosis.
In those treated for known B12 and folate deficiencies, testing may be used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment. This is especially true for those who cannot properly absorb B12 and/or folate and must have lifelong treatment.
Folate levels in the liquid portion of blood (serum) can vary based on a person's recent diet. Because red blood cells store 95% of circulating folate, a test to measure the folate level within RBCs may be used in addition to or instead of the serum test. Some health practitioners feel that the RBC folate test is a better indicator of long-term folate status and is more clinically relevant than serum folate, but there is not widespread agreement on this.
Other laboratory tests that may be used to help detect B12 and folate deficiencies include homocysteine and methylmelonic acid (MMA). Homocysteine and MMA are elevated in B12 deficiency while only homocysteine, and not MMA, is elevated in folate deficiency. This distinction is important because giving folate to some who is B12-deficient will treat the anemia but does not treat the neurologic damage, which may be irreversible.
Vitamin B12 and folate are separate tests often used in conjunction to detect deficiencies and to help diagnose the cause of certain anemias, such as pernicious anemia, an autoimmune disease that affects the absorption of B12.
B12 and folate are two vitamins that cannot be produced in the body and must be supplied by the diet. They are required for normal red blood cell (RBC) formation, repair of tissues and cells, and synthesis of DNA, the genetic material in cells. B12 is essential for proper nerve function. (For more, see the "What is being tested?" section.)
B12 and folate tests may also be used to help evaluate an individual with an altered mental state or other behavioral changes, especially in the elderly. A B12 test may be ordered with folate, by itself, or with other screening laboratory tests such as a complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), antinuclear antibody (ANA), C-reactive protein (CRP) and rheumatoid factor (RF) to help determine why a person shows signs and symptoms of a condition affecting nerves (neuropathy).
Additionally, B12 and folate tests may be used in conjunction with an assortment of other tests to help evaluate the general health and nutritional status of a person with signs and symptoms of significant malnutrition or dietary malabsorption. This may include people with, for example, alcoholism, liver disease, gastric cancer, or individuals with malabsorption conditions such as celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or cystic fibrosis.
Methylmalonic Acid & Holotranscobalamine
If s B deficiency is suspected2 testsbcan be done to confirm diagnosis:
S. Homocystine
Methylmalonic acid(MMA) level
B12 and folate , B12 and folate tests may also be used to help evaluate an individual with an altered mental state or other behavioral changes, especially in the elderly. A B12 test may be ordered with folate, by itself, or with other screening laboratory tests such as a complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), antinuclear antibody (ANA), C-reactive protein (CRP) and rheumatoid factor (RF)
Le test urinaire MMA et le test Holo-TC
The two blood tests results to order when checking vitamin B12 are;
1. Full Blood Count (FBC) - Detecting aneminc conditions
2. Rhematiod Factor (RF) - Detecting autoimmune diseases
Haemogram (CBC) & Iron Studies ( FE & TIBC )
Vitamin B12 and folate are two vitamins that are part of the B complex of vitamins. They are necessary for normal red blood cell (RBC) formation, repair of tissues and cells, and synthesis of DNA, the genetic material in cells. Both are nutrients that cannot be produced in the body and must be supplied by the diet.
Vitamin B12 and folate tests measure vitamin levels in the liquid portion of the blood (serum or plasma) to detect.
Vit D3 and Calcium. These test are complimentary to each other so that we can suspect deficincies
complete blood count , Vitamin B 12
Other tests which can help to investigat Vit B12 deficiency are homocystein level and Methylmalonic acid.
