Vitamin B12
Also known as: B12
Use
Aids in the detection of vitamin B12 deficiency in individuals with macrocytic or unexplained anemia, or unexplained neurologic disease. Vitamin B12 levels are used as a diagnostic indicator to assess the vitamin's concentration in the body, which can be crucial for patients experiencing certain types of anemia and neurological disorders.
Special Instructions
Protect from light during collection, storage, and shipment. Serum separator tubes or green (sodium or lithium heparin) tubes are acceptable for collection. Ensure complete clotting of specimen at room temperature before transfer to an ARUP Amber Transport Tube.
Limitations
This test should not be used as the sole diagnostic measure for vitamin B12 deficiency. Elevated levels require correlation with clinical findings and additional investigations, such as methylmalonic acid testing, for accurate diagnosis. Hemolyzed or EDTA plasma samples are unsuitable, which may lead to inaccurate results.
New York Approved
Methodology
Immunoassay (CLIA)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 2132-9
Result Turnaround Time
1 day
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Serum
Volume
1 mL
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Container
ARUP Amber Transport Tube
Collection Instructions
Protect from light and allow specimen to clot completely at room temperature before transfer.
Causes for Rejection
EDTA plasma. Hemolyzed specimens.
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 8 hours |
| Refrigerated | 24 hours |
| Frozen | 3 months |