Vitamin B12 (Active) and Folate Blood Test measures the levels of these essential nutrients in your blood. Both vitamins are crucial for various bodily functions, including DNA synthesis, red blood cell formation, and neurological health. Here’s an overview of these tests:

Purpose

  • Assess Nutritional Status: To evaluate levels of active vitamin B12 and folate in individuals with symptoms of deficiency.
  • Monitor Health Conditions: To monitor patients with conditions that affect the absorption of these vitamins, such as pernicious anemia or malabsorption syndromes.
  • Diagnose Deficiency: To confirm deficiencies in individuals presenting with symptoms related to low levels of these vitamins.

Symptoms of Deficiency

  • Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Fatigue, weakness, constipation, loss of appetite, weight loss, neurological changes (e.g., numbness and tingling in the hands and feet), difficulty maintaining balance, depression, confusion, dementia, poor memory, and soreness of the mouth or tongue.
  • Folate Deficiency: Fatigue, gray hair, mouth sores, tongue swelling, growth problems, and megaloblastic anemia.

Test Procedure

  1. Sample Collection: A blood sample is drawn from a vein, typically in the arm, using a needle.
  2. Preparation: Fasting for 6-8 hours before the test may be required. Inform the healthcare provider about any supplements or medications being taken.
  3. During the Test: The site is cleaned, a tourniquet is applied to make the veins more visible, and blood is collected into a vial.
  4. After the Test: A bandage is applied to the puncture site. The sample is sent to a laboratory for analysis.

Risks of the Test

  • Minor: Pain or discomfort at the needle site, bruising, or slight bleeding.
  • Rare: Infection at the puncture site or fainting.

Follow-Up

  • Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Increasing dietary intake of vitamin B12 through foods such as meat, fish, dairy products, and fortified cereals, or taking supplements or receiving injections as advised by a healthcare provider.
  • Folate Deficiency: Increasing dietary intake of folate through foods such as leafy green vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, and fortified cereals, or taking supplements as advised by a healthcare provider.

Special Considerations

  • Chronic Conditions: Certain health conditions, such as pernicious anemia or gastrointestinal disorders, can increase the risk of deficiencies.
  • Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Folate is especially important during pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects, and vitamin B12 needs may also be higher.

Consulting with a healthcare professional is essential for interpreting test results and determining the appropriate course of action based on individual health needs and medical history.

Results – 2 days from Laboratory receiving sample

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