At-Home Vitamin B12 Test
Monitoring your vitamin B12 levels can help to rule out underlying health conditions or explain symptoms such as exhaustion, brain fog or digestive issues.
What is Vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is an essential vitamin and must therefore be taken in through the diet. It is found predominantly in meat, fish, eggs and dairy products; therefore vegetarians and vegans are at greater risk of low B12 levels, though it can be found in very small quantity in certain algae.
Vitamin B12 is bound to the protein in food and is released during digestion by the stomach acid. When released from the protein a substance called intrinsic factor combines with it to enable absorption into the bloodstream. An autoimmune condition called pernicious anaemia prevents absorption by preventing the production of intrinsic factor; this is a leading cause of vitamin B12 deficiency.
Other conditions affecting the stomach or small intestine such as coeliac disease, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can also lead to inadequate B12 absorption.
What are the most common symptoms of a Vitamin B12 deficiency?
You should monitor your vitamin B12 levels to rule out underlying health conditions or explain symptoms such as exhaustion, brain fog or digestive issues.
Common symptoms can include:
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Mood changes
• Depression
How can improve my Vitamin B12 levels?
The best way to ensure good levels of vitamin B12 is to optimise your diet. The primary natural sources are eggs, milk, chicken, and red meat – but those pose an obvious problem for vegetarians and vegans.
If you avoid meat and/or animal products but are concerned about your B12 levels, you will need to explore the many supplements available from pharmacists, health food stores, and online vendors. The principal formats are:
- Multivitamins
- ‘B complex’ supplements – ie products containing all the B vitamins
- Specialist B12 supplements
An alternative source of B12 can be found in fortified foods – i.e. food products that have had vitamins and other nutrients added to boost the health of the people who eat them. B12 is a common addition to bread and breakfast cereals.
What our experts say
A 3 step simple process to test your Vitamin B12 levels
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Frequently asked questions
What is the test for vitamin B-12?
You can order an at-home blood test from The Health Hub. There is a simple process to follow that involves a finger prick blood sample which you return with a prepaid postage label to the lab to receive your results.
How do you test for B12 deficiency?
Vitamin B12 can be tested with a simple at-home blood test. A small amount of blood is taken via a finger prick to fill a blood collection tube.
What are the warning signs of vitamin B12 deficiency?
Some of the common symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency are; weakness, fatigue, numbness, tingling, mood changes, depression.
Read more about Vitamin B12
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