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Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin B12

Other names: VITAMIN B-12, Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)

Optimal Result: 232 - 1245 pg/mL, 171.22 - 918.81 pmol/L, or 232.00 - 1245.00 ng/L.

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 by the body and must be supplied by the diet. They are required for normal red blood cell formation, repair of tissues and cells, and synthesis of DNA. B12 is also essential for proper nerve function. B12 and folate levels may be ordered when a complete blood count is done as a part of a routine health checkup. Testing for B12 and folate levels may be appropriate when a person has signs and symptoms of deficiency, such as:

- Diarrhea

- Dizziness

- Fatigue

- Loss of appetite

- Pale skin

- Rapid heart beat

- Shortness of breath

- Sore tongue and mouth

- Tingling or numbness in the extremities

- Confusion

- Paranoia

What does it mean if your Vitamin B12 result is too high?

The most common cause of high B12 in the blood is due to recent ingestion or injection of supplemental vitamin B12. It could also be possibly from your diet if high in animal products such as meat, eggs, and shellfish. 

Limited observational studies have reported associations of increased vitamin B12 levels with other conditions and disease states, including:

- Liver disease due to release of B12 from damaged liver cells into the bloodstream

- Kidney disease due to impaired function of the kidneys to excrete excess B12

- Increased levels of transcobalamin, which is a transporter of B12 in the bloodstream

- Inflammatory conditions: rheumatoid arthritis, lupus

- Hematologic (or blood) cancers: acute leukemia, multiple myeloma

- Hematopoietic disorder: myeloproliferative neoplasm, myelodysplastic syndrome, hypereosinophilic syndrome, transient neutrophilia

Most of the medical conditions often present with other abnormal lab findings such as impaired kidney function, liver function, anemia, low white blood cell count and also other signs and symptoms of problems.

If higher levels of B12 persist, it may be worthwhile seeing a hematologist for a follow up evaluation to receive further review of your history, family history and further laboratory testing if appropriate, especially if the levels continue to be high.

Additional note: Please consult your doctor before making any changes in your diet or supplement regimen. You might want to avoid supplements high in B12 for now, eat a varied healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables and check to see if B12 is in any supplements you take.

What does it mean if your Vitamin B12 result is too low?

A low Vitamin B12 level on a test panel can indicate a deficiency, though it doesn't always point to an underlying medical condition. Vitamin B12 is essential for various bodily functions, including nerve health, DNA production, and red blood cell formation. When B12 levels are low, it can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, neurological issues, and cognitive impairments. Some common causes of low B12 include:

  • Dietary Deficiencies: While uncommon in the general population due to fortified foods, vegans are at higher risk for B12 deficiency, as this vitamin is primarily found in animal products such as meat, eggs, and dairy.

  • Malabsorption Issues: Conditions like Pernicious anemia, Celiac disease, and Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can interfere with the body's ability to absorb B12 from the intestines, leading to deficiencies.

  • Chronic Alcoholism: Excessive alcohol consumption can damage the digestive system, impairing the absorption of nutrients, including Vitamin B12.

  • Certain Medications: Some medications, particularly those used to treat acid reflux or gastrointestinal issues, can reduce B12 absorption.

  • Pregnancy: Pregnant women have higher B12 and folate needs to support fetal development. A deficiency during pregnancy can lead to complications, making it crucial to maintain adequate levels.

If you have a low Vitamin B12 level, it's important to address the underlying cause, which can often be managed through dietary changes, supplements, or medical treatment, depending on the cause.

Frequently asked questions

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With a Healthmatters account, you can dive into the details of each biomarker and gain insights into the meaning behind your medical test data, anytime, anywhere.

For our professional users, Healthmatters provides intuitive tools that not only streamline analysis but also save valuable time when delving into your client's lab report history.

Healthmatters.io personal account provides in-depth research on 4000+ biomarkers, including information and suggestions for test panels such as, but not limited to:

  • The GI Effects® Comprehensive Stool Profile,
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  • Amino Acids Profile,
  • Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones (DUTCH),
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  • Thyroid panel,
  • Lipid Panel,
  • Urinalysis,
  • And many, many more.

You can combine all test reports inside your Healthmatters account and keep them in one place. It gives you an excellent overview of all your health data. Once you retest, you can add new results and compare them.

If you are still determining whether Healthmatters support your lab results, the rule is that if you can test it, you can upload it to Healthmatters.

While we work with many popular labs, we welcome reports from lots of other places too.

It's as simple as this: if you can get a test done, you can upload it to Healthmatters and we can interpret results from any lab out there. If laboratories can analyze it, we can interpret it.

If you’re on the hunt for a specific biomarker, contact us and we'll add it to our database. Anything from blood, urine, saliva, or stool can be uploaded, understood, and tracked with your Healthmatters account.

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Our data entry forms offer an easy, fast, and free way for you to input the reports yourself. Self-entry allows you to add an unlimited number of reports at no cost. We make the self-entry process user-friendly, providing dozens of templates that pre-populate the most popular laboratory panels and offering instant feedback on entered values.

For those who prefer assistance, we offer a "Data entry service" to help you input your data. Simply attach an image or file of your lab test results, and a qualified team member from our data entry team will add the results for you.

We support various file types, including PDFs, JPGs, or Excel. This service is particularly useful if you have many reports to upload or if you're too busy to handle the data entry yourself.

Our special data entry service makes it easy to add your results to your private dashboard. Just attach an image or a file of your lab test results, and our skilled data entry team will do the work for you. It's all done by humans, ensuring that your data is entered accurately and with personal care for each client.

Depending on your account, the data entry service can be included for free or come at an additional cost of $15 per report.

For users on the Complete monthly plan, the first report is entered free of charge, and each additional report incurs a fee of $15.

Unlimited account holders enjoy the entry of ten reports without charge. Subsequent reports are subject to a $15 fee per report.

Additionally, users on the Complete plan can upgrade to a yearly subscription from the account settings. The annual subscription includes a data entry service for five reports.

The Unlimited plan is a one-time purchase for $250, and it covers your account for a lifetime with no additional payments.

For the Complete plan, the cost is $15 per month. You have the flexibility to cancel it anytime through your account settings, ensuring no further payments. To avoid charges, remember to cancel at least a day before the renewal date. Once canceled, the subscription remains active until the end of the current billing cycle.

Additionally, you can upgrade to the yearly Advanced plan from within your account. The annual cost is $79, and it comes with a data entry service for five reports.

You can always upgrade to a lifetime version with a prorated price from a monthly or yearly subscription.

Simply log in and navigate to your account settings to cancel your subscription. Scroll down to locate the 'Cancel' button at the bottom of the page. Ensure you cancel at least one day before the renewal date to prevent any charges. Once cancellation is requested, the subscription remains active until the conclusion of the current billing cycle.

Our goal has been to make your Healthmatters account as intuitive as possible.

We’ve crafted multiple ways for you to navigate your data, whether you're glancing at a single report or delving into your historical test reports.

1. Graph View:

Dive into a visual journey with our biomarker graphs, showcasing over 40 data points. Combining years of results unveils trends, empowering you to make informed decisions. Our visualization tools make it a breeze to compare and understand changes over time, even if your results are from different labs. A search function and filters simplify the exploration of extensive data, allowing you to focus on what needs attention.

2. All Tests View

Explore neatly organized reports on a timeline, highlighting crucial details like dates, critical results, and lab/panel names. Each report opens up to reveal in-depth descriptions and additional recommendations for each biomarker. The history of previous results is just a click away, and you can download a comprehensive report for deeper insights. Color-coded and user-friendly, it's designed for easy reading, understanding, and navigation.

3. Table View:

For a holistic view of all biomarkers side by side, our table view is your go-to. Results are neatly displayed in a categorized and dated table, ideal for those with an extensive test history. Utilize sorting, filters, and color-coding to enhance your analysis and gain extra insights.

Yes, you can download information from your account. We can compile your labs into a CSV file. To download all your labs, you can go to Account Settings, and at the bottom of the page, you will find a link to download your information.

Yes, you can print your report. To do so, navigate to "All tests" and open the report you wish to print. You'll find a print button in the right corner of the report. Click on it, and your browser's print window will open. If you prefer to print in a bigger typeface, adjust the scale using the print window settings.

Yes, you can! We highly recommend activating Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for your account. To do so, please navigate to the "Profile and Security" section of your account, where you will find instructions for activating 2FA.

Yes, you can. When entering values for the biomarker, you will see an "Edit Range" button. Click this button, and you'll have the option to enter a custom range.

A personal account is all about keeping your own lab test results in check. It's just for you and your personal use.

The professional account is designed for health professionals who wish to track and organize their clients' laboratory results.

To learn more about Healthmatters Pro, please refer to the professional page.

Yes, you can! Simply go to the "Invite Doctor" section, enter your doctor’s email address, and send the invitation. Your doctor will receive an email with secure access to view your results. You can revoke this access at any time. All shared information is securely encrypted and protected for your privacy.
Yes, you can! Go to the Graph view or Spreadsheet view. In the top-right corner, click "Export to Excel," and the file will be downloaded to your device.

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