Vitamin B12 is necessary for healthy nerve and body cells and is very much required for the formation of new blood cells. Some vitamin B12 is utilized by the body, while some are retained in the liver for many years.
 

Worldwide, vitamin B12 deficiency is common. The prevalence of vitamin B-12 concentrations in plasma in the Indian population may be explained due to a diet low in animal-related food products.
 

Older individuals, vegetarians, pregnant women, and persons with kidney or intestinal disorders are some of the population categories that are at risk [2]. Two enzymes require vitamin B12 as a cofactor. It is necessary for DNA synthesis, myelin sheath production and maintenance. It is also required for the development of red blood cells and the synthesis of methionine impact neurologic function.
 

What is Active Vitamin B12?
 

When B12 binds to transcobalamin protein (known as Holotranscobalamin or HoloCT) and is made available to cells for usage in the body, it is referred to as active B12.

Vitamin B12 is essential in the body, and if you are fatigued or weak, it could be an indication that you are lacking. Preliminary signs of vitamin B12 deficiency

• Restlessness
•  Fatigue
•  Reduced appetite
•  Dizziness
•  Twitching or uncontrollable movements
•  Headaches and muscle weakness
•  Diarrhoea

Why should you check your Vitamin B12 levels?
 

If your levels are below the usual range, an active B12 test might help you determine this. The following are some signs of a vitamin B12 deficiency:
 

• A lack of vitamin B12 causes limb weakness, a sore tongue, the loss of pinprick and vibration as well as feelings of coldness, numbness, and tightness in the tips of the fingers and toes.
• Depression, memory loss, erectile dysfunction, incontinence, light-headedness, and poor taste and smell are less frequent results.
• About 50% of patients experience unclear constitutional symptoms, such as fatigue, dissatisfaction, and Bone marrow suppression.
• Breathlessness, swelling legs and feet, and a bloated stomach are all symptoms.
• Alcoholism and excessive drinking.
• If you are concerned about thyroid problems, exhaustion, or any other symptoms connected with a vitamin B12 shortage, you should focus on the levels of active B12.

Who needs a Vitamin B12 test?
 

While many people are familiar with B12 testing, many are unaware of active B12 testing and how it can give a more precise picture of the body's B12 levels:
 

• People who consume inadequate amounts of vitamin B12 in their diets or who have certain gastrointestinal illnesses are at a higher risk of developing a deficit.
• Neurological damage that is severe and irreversible can result from severe vitamin B12 deficiency. Therefore, it is advantageous to diagnose a condition early and accurate methods are needed for identifying Vitamin B12 deficiency.

Always consult your doctor or the health care professional for an exact diagnosis
 

• Low vitamin B12 levels can occur in people who do not consume enough foods containing the vitamin.
• Have SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), malicious anaemia, an autoimmune disorder that inhibits vitamin B12 absorption or inflammatory bowel disease.

What is diagnosed by an Active Vitamin B12 (holotranscobalmin) test?
 

• The test for active vitamin B12 (homotranscobalamin) helps in determining the cause of anaemia. The active form of vitamin B12 (holotranscobalamin) is tested.
• Finding the cause of neuropathy is helpful as well.
• Helpful in monitoring the effect of the vitamin B12 deficiency treatment.
• To assess a person's nutritional condition and track the efficacy of treatment for vitamin B12 deficiency, as well as to identify any type of nerve injury (neuropathy).

How Vitamin B12 test is performed?
 

• Before your test, you will be instructed by your healthcare practitioner to fast for six to eight hours. In the days leading up to the exam, you should focus on being hydrated.
• Your doctor will use an antiseptic wipe or alcohol pad to clean a tiny portion of your arm or elbow during the test. In order to improve blood flow, they could wrap an elastic band around the top of your arm. After that, your doctor will draw blood from you by inserting a needle into a vein.
• Your healthcare practitioner will remove the needle and apply a bandage once sufficient blood has been extracted. After that, a lab will analyse a sample of your blood to check for markers like vitamin B-12.
• You can check your B-12 levels at home. Online stores sell test kits for use at home. But then you need to send your urine samples to a laboratory which again is a hectic task. It is always advisable to have the test from a trustworthy lab.

Vitamin B12 Test results and their explanation
 

It is crucial to discuss your results with your doctor because normal ranges can differ from lab to lab. A laboratory with complete accreditation examines the samples. The International Standard for Medical Laboratories, or ISO15189, accreditation.
 

B-12 levels that are too high or too low could be a sign of an underlying issue. Low levels of B-12 can indicate hyperthyroidism, an internal parasite, and anaemia. Your chance of developing cancer may increase with high B-12 levels.
 

Under 3.8 mcg/mC is considered a normal range for MMA in urine testing. A B-12 deficiency could be present if your levels are greater. High levels of vitamin B12 without supplementation are essential since they may suggest an underlying health issue, such as:
 

• Cirrhosis or hepatitis are two examples of liver disease.
• Myeloproliferative disorders (bone marrow and blood illnesses), or leukaemia
• Kidney failure
• Higher blood B12 levels were associated with an increased risk of cancer in many major observational studies.

The risks and side effects of a Vitamin B12 test
 

• When your healthcare professional inserts the needle into your arm, you may feel a pricking sensation.
• A blood draw, on the other hand, is minimal risk and often painless. It's also possible to feel pain or see bruising on your arm for a few days after the procedure. See your doctor if the pain is throbbing or your arm swells following the test.
• If you have a bleeding issue, such as haemophilia, or if you've had problems with blood clotting in the past, consult your doctor before taking the test. Excessive bleeding is possible where the needle punctures your skin.