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Vitamin B12 Test
Vitamin B12 Test
This vitamin B12 test measures levels of an essential nutrient that is necessary for producing red blood cells, maintaining a healthy nervous system, and creating DNA. Read moreTest details
Sample type:
Blood
Preparation:
You do not need to do anything special to prepare for the sample collection.
This panel does not require fasting.
What
Measures the level of vitamin B12 (also known as cobalamin) in your blood.
Who
Must be 18+ years of age to purchase.
How
Blood
Schedule an appointment, then visit a Quest Diagnostics patient service center location.
About the Test
Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient used for producing red blood cells, maintaining a healthy nervous system, and creating DNA. Vitamin B12 must be absorbed through diet or supplementation as the body is not able to produce it. This blood test measures B12 levels and can identify vitamin B12 deficiency (ie, low levels of B12) which may be due to limited dietary intake, poor absorption, aging, and certain health conditions or medications. Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to anemia, neurological conditions, and various other health issues.
Buy your own vitamin B12 deficiency test online with Quest. No doctor’s visit is required – simply purchase B12 testing, visit a nearby Quest® location for sample collection, and get fast results.
How it works
questhealth.com offers 100+ consumer-initiated Quest Diagnostics lab tests to empower you to have more control over your health journey. Choose from a variety of test types that best suit your needs.
FAQs
Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia is a condition in which your body does not have enough healthy red blood cells, due to insufficient amounts of vitamin B12. This vitamin is needed to make red blood cells (RBCs), which carry oxygen to all parts of your body. Your body cannot function normally without an adequate supply of oxygen-rich RBCs.
Vegetarians and vegans who want to increase their vitamin B12 intake may consider fortified foods such as nutritional yeast, cereal grains, and plant-based milk, or taking a B12 supplement to replenish the body's stores of this essential vitamin.
You may be able to use your FSA or HSA funds to purchase lab tests at questhealth.com. Please review your FSA/HSA plan or check with a tax professional to confirm specific requirements for individual eligibility.