What Is a Lab Test for B12?
Most physicians perform a CBC (complete blood count) test as part of a routine annual physical or when trying to identify a patient's illness or complaint. The physician will draw blood in the office and send the blood to a laboratory for testing. Several of the values measured as part of a CBC can help determine if the patient has a vitamin B12 deficiency.
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Vitamin B12
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Chicken is a good source of B12. Most of us get our vitamin B12 from the foods we eat. This water-soluble vitamin is found in fish, shellfish, meats and dairy products. A single chicken breast along with a hard-boiled egg and a cup of low-fat yogurt will provide most of us with a day's supply of B12.
B12 Benefits
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B12 is needed to make DNA. We need a sufficient amount of vitamin B12 to maintain healthy nerve cells and red blood cells. It is also needed to make DNA, the genetic material found in all cells. It is rare to find someone with a B12 deficiency, since most of us get an adequate amount from our foods. Also, the body can store B12 for years.
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Deficiency
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Some vegetarian diets lack adequate B12. Someone is deficient in B12 if it is determined they are not storing adequate amounts of the vitamin. Deficiency can result in anemia, a below-normal number of red blood cells in the body. A deficiency can also occur in people who have pernicious anemia, have had stomach surgery, and those with conditions such as diabetes. Some vegetarians are also prone to B12 deficiency because of their diets.
Symptoms
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Low B12 levels could lead to depression. People who are deficient in B12 might be overly tired all the time, feel lightheaded and dizzy and have a poor appetite, leading to weight loss. During an exam, a physician will often look for a sore tongue that has a red, beefy look to it. People who have low B12 for a long time could suffer nerve damage leading to muscle weakness, depression and dementia.
Testing for B12 Deficiency
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Testing is used to monitor treatment effectiveness. In addition to the CBC, a variety of other blood tests are used to determine if a patient has a B12 deficiency, as well as its severity, cause and the effectiveness of treatment.
Treatment
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B12 shots are available. B12 deficiency is usually treated in one of two ways. The most common treatment is through B12 supplements. One of the most popular supplements is taken sublingually (under the tongue). However, some people cannot absorb B12. To prevent the symptoms from returning, this group must receive regular B12 shots.
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References
- Photo Credit lab kit image by PHOTOFLY from Fotolia.com grilled chicken breast barbecue image by AGITA LEIMANE from Fotolia.com dna image by Allyson Ricketts from Fotolia.com snack right image by Keith Frith from Fotolia.com woman in solutude and depression image by Allen Penton from Fotolia.com drawing blood image by Pix by Marti from Fotolia.com nurse with a syringe image by Photosani from Fotolia.com
