Your body needs vitamin B12 for the production of red blood cells and DNA. It is also critical for maintaining optimal function of the brain and nervous system. Vitamin B12 deficiencies can lead to digestive problems, headache and fatigue, nerve damage, mood disorders, and cognitive impairments. Long-term deficiency has been linked to megaloblastic anemia and serious neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions like dementia and schizophrenia. Early detection of a vitamin B12 deficiency is key in reversing and halting the progression of these impairments and diseases. Health Today Health offers vitamin B12 levels measurements with a simple blood serum screening.
Test Specifications
Know Your Risk
Common causes of vitamin B12 deficiency include:
- Age
- Vegetarian or Vegan Diet
- Chronic Diseases (diabetes, kidney disease, and dementia can impair B12 absorption)
- Certain Gastrointestinal Conditions
- Certain Medications
If vitamin B12 deficiency is determined, early intervention is critical. Deficient levels can inform further diagnostics to evaluate the cause of the deficiency and treatment to reverse symptoms and restore optimal vitamin levels can begin.
Health Today Health Vitamin B12 Test
There are some factors that may skew your test results or make the results unhelpful. Discuss with your doctor if you:
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Are taking any medications
- Are taking vitamin C in high doses
- Consume large amount of alcohol
- Have recently undergone other diagnostic testing that uses dyes
- Have pernicious anemia
