Vitamin B12, Cyanocobalamin

Vitamins are nutrients which are required in small amounts to carry out various functions in body. There are many different types of vitamins such as Vitamin A, B, C, D, E, K.

Vitamin B consist of various subtypes like Vitamin B1 (thiamine), Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (niacin), Pantothenic acid (B5), Biotin (B7), Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin), Folate (folic acid and B9). Hence it always referred as “Vitamin B complex”.

Vitamin B12 other names:

Cynocobalamin is scientific term for vitamin B12.

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) it is the amount of vitamin required daily for proper functioning of RBCs and Nervous Cells. RDA for Vitamin B12 is as follows:

Adult male: 1.0 mcg/day

Adult female: 1.0 mcg/day

Pregnant women: 1.2 mcg/day

Lactating women: 1.5 mcg/day

Pregnant and lactating women have higher requirement of vitamin B12, as it also essential in maintaining healthy pregnancy and infant brain development.

When you do not receive this RDA for certain amount of time, you are at risk of developing Vitamin B12 deficiency.

What is the Importance of Vitamin 12 ?

• Vitamin B12, is stored in liver.
• Vitamin B12 along with folate is essential for formation of Red Blood Cells
• Maintaining central nervous system function.
• Vitamin B6, folic acid (vitamin B9), and vitamin B12 play a key role in maintaining a healthy pregnancy.

Reference Range and Requirement for Vitamin B12 Level, Serum

Reference range:

 The normal levels of vitamin B12 are anywhere between 197 - 771 pg/ml.

Requirements: You will require to fast (not eat or drink) for 8-12 hours before sample collection.

Who should get tested for Vitamin B12?

• If you have history of any of the following:
  • Celiac disease
  • Family history of Anemia
  • Pre-diagnosed Anemia
  • Symptoms of Anemia like fatigue, pale-skin or dizziness

• If you have symptoms of Vitamin B deficiency as mentioned above.

• While pregnant women are not routinely tested for vitamin B deficiencies, you can ask your doctor for more details if you have any of above symptoms or have had Anemia.

Why Vitamin B12 testing?

Vitamin B12 testing is majorly done for following reasons:

• To diagnose Anemia
• To check dietary status
• To diagnose neuropathy (tingling sensation and numbness of hands and feet)
• To monitor existing vitamin supplement treatment

Interpretation:

Low Vitamin B12 levels may be a sign of:

• Different types of anemia
• Thalassemia: type of anemia more genetic in nature
• Iron deficiency
• Liver Disease
• Cancer and other diseases

If you experience any of the anemia symptoms given above, you can surely take precautionary measures such as maintaining iron and vitamin rich diet. If you are pregnant kindly also consult your doctor immediately, he may prescribe you medication for the same