Vitamin B Complex Blood Test | Vitamin B Complex Lab Test

What

This test panel measures the levels of vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B5 in your blood.

Who

This test panel is for anyone who suspects they may be deficient in vitamin B2, B3, or B5, or has a condition that makes it difficult to absorb certain nutrients.

How

Blood

Where

Find a location near you

Schedule an appointment, then visit a Quest Diagnostics patient service center location.

About the Test

The Vitamin B Supplement Panel measures the levels of the following 3 vitamins and minerals in your blood: vitamin B2, vitamin B3, and vitamin B5.

Identifying and addressing nutritional deficiencies are important steps toward better health. Your body does not produce most vitamins and minerals, so you must get them through food or supplements. How nutrients work in your body is influenced by more than just what you eat. These factors include genetics, age, health conditions, medications, metabolism, and how well your body absorbs nutrients.

This test may be right for you if you follow a specific or restrictive diet, are concerned about not getting certain nutrients, or are experiencing symptoms that suggest a nutrient deficiency.

Consider the Vitamin B Supplement Panel if you:

Follow a restrictive diet
Do not consume a well-balanced diet or if your diet is low in nutrients (highly processed food)
Have a condition that may inhibit the absorption of the essential B vitamins

This test panel gives you and your healthcare provider detailed information about the levels of vitamin B2, B3, and B5 in your body.

This test panel measures the levels of three micronutrients: vitamin B2, vitamin B3, and vitamin B5 in your blood.

The Vitamin B2 Test measures the level of vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin, in your blood. Riboflavin is a water-soluble vitamin used to turn food into energy. It also helps make red blood cells and keeps your nervous system healthy.

If you don't eat enough riboflavin-rich foods, or if your body doesn't store or absorb enough of it, you may have low levels. Too little riboflavin may cause hair loss, anemia, liver problems, cracked lips, rashes, fatigue, blurry vision, personality changes or depression. Early detection is important to prevent irreversible damage over time, especially to the liver and reproductive system, brain, and heart. A long-term deficiency can lead to cataracts and some cancers.

Our bodies don't make riboflavin, so we need to get it daily from food or supplements. Riboflavin is found naturally in foods such as leafy greens, sweet potatoes, sardines, beef liver, chicken breast, salmon, spinach, almonds, eggs, and milk.

The Vitamin B3 Test measures the level of vitamin B3, also known as nicotinamide or nicotinic acid in your blood. Nicotinamide/nicotinic acid functions as a coenzyme in the body, with over 400 enzymes dependent on it for different reactions. Nicotinamide/nicotinic acid is a water-soluble vitamin that helps turn food into energy, build and repair DNA, and protect cells from damage.

If you don't eat enough nicotinamide/nicotinic acid-rich foods, or if your body doesn't store or absorb enough of it, you may have low levels. Too little nicotinamide/nicotinic acid may cause depression, tiredness, headache, memory loss, swollen mouth, a bright red tongue, mouth sores, constipation, diarrhea, or stomach pain. Early detection is important to prevent irreversible damage over time, especially to the liver and reproductive system, brain, and heart.

Our bodies don't make nicotinamide/nicotinic acid, so we need to get it daily from food or supplements. Nicotinamide/nicotinic acid is found naturally in foods such as red meat, chicken, fish, asparagus, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, bananas, brown rice, and legumes.

The Vitamin B5 Test measures the level of vitamin B5, also known as pantothenic acid, in your blood. Pantothenic acid is a water-soluble vitamin that helps the body turn food into energy. It also helps make and break down fatty acids.

If you don't eat enough pantothenic acid-rich foods, or if your body doesn't store or absorb enough of it, you may have low levels. Not having enough pantothenic acid may cause muscle cramps, headaches, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, extreme tiredness, irritability, sleep problems, or burning or numbness in the hands or feet.

Our bodies don't make pantothenic acid, so we need to get it daily from food or supplements. Pantothenic acid is found naturally in foods such as meat, brown rice, nuts, milk, mushrooms, avocados, and broccoli.

You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase. Purchases not permitted in: AK, AZ, HI.

Fasting (not eating or drinking anything except water) for 10-12 hours is required. Avoiding vitamin supplements for 24 hours prior to collection is preferred. You may drink water prior to your sample collection but avoid other beverages as they may affect your results.

When your results are ready, we will send them to you in a clear, easy-to-read report. You may have the option to speak with an independent physician to discuss your results. Together, you can determine the next best steps for your care.

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Easy to buy & simple to schedule

After your purchase, schedule an appointment at a nearby Quest Diagnostics location and have your specimen sample collected by a trained healthcare professional.

Fast online results, with support

Access test results from your phone as soon as they’re available, with the option to discuss your results with an independent physician at no extra cost.

Your results are available on our free, secure patient portal that you can access on your smartphone, tablet, or desktop. You will receive an email notification when your results are ready. You can also share your results with your healthcare provider, family, or friends.

B vitamins are building blocks for our cells. They support brain and heart function, digestion, and hormone production. They also help turn the food we eat into energy.

FAQs

Would taking supplements be helpful if I consume a diet that restricts foods containing B vitamins?

The best way to get essential vitamins and minerals is from food. However, if your body cannot absorb certain nutrients properly, or you are not able to get enough of them through your diet, then you may consider taking a supplement for that nutrient. B vitamins are water-soluble. A water-soluble vitamin dissolves in water and is easily absorbed by the body. Your body does not store these vitamins for long, so any extra will be eliminated in your urine. Because of this, it is important to consume them every day.

While it is unlikely to get too much of a micronutrient if you are taking a supplement, getting too much, known as vitamin toxicity, is possible. It is recommended to confirm a deficiency through testing and talk with your doctor prior to taking supplements.

What are enzymes and coenzymes?

An enzyme is a protein that helps to start, or speed up, a reaction in the body. A coenzyme is a non-protein molecule that helps an enzyme to perform that reaction.

Our references

Please note that it is important you are hydrated before having your samples collected. These tests, as a group of markers, are intended to provide personal vitamin deficiency insights to empower you to achieve an optimal balance with your lifestyle. These tests are not intended to be a replacement for routine medical monitoring. Individuals partaking in these tests are encouraged to seek professional medical assistance regarding the medical and lifestyle applications of any test results.

Vitamin B Supplement Test Panel