To book, call 8872524007 or simply come in with your slip from 7:00 am.
What the Vitamin B12 test checks
The lab measures total serum B12, usually reported in pg/mL. Most of it is bound to carrier proteins, and only a part (holotranscobalamin, or "active B12") is available to cells. Total B12 is the standard first test. When the number is borderline, a doctor may ask for methylmalonic acid or homocysteine, which rise when tissues are short of B12.
Why your doctor may order it
B12 comes almost entirely from animal foods: milk, curd and paneer give some, eggs and meat give more. Deficiency builds slowly because the liver stores years' worth. Common reasons for testing include:
- tiredness, breathlessness or pale skin, especially with large red cells (high MCV) on a CBC
- tingling, numbness or burning in the feet or hands, or unsteady walking
- memory problems, low mood or a sore red tongue
- long-term metformin for diabetes, or acid-reducing tablets such as omeprazole or pantoprazole
- past stomach surgery, coeliac disease or other gut conditions
- pregnancy planning in a strict vegetarian
How to prepare
Many labs, including ours, prefer a sample after an overnight fast of 8 to 10 hours; water is fine, but tea with milk counts as food. Morning collection from 7:00 am makes this easy.
If you take B12 tablets or have had injections, tell us the date of the last dose. A recent injection can lift the level for weeks and hide a deficiency. Don't stop any medicine on your own; your doctor decides whether timing matters. High-dose biotin supplements can interfere with some immunoassays, so mention those too.
Sample type and report time
- Sample: serum (red or yellow cap tube)
- Fasting: preferred, about 8 to 10 hours
- Report: same day or next day; collect the print or receive a PDF on WhatsApp
Folate is often run alongside, from the same draw. Not sure which tests are on your slip? Send a photo and we'll check, or call 8872524007.
Understanding your results
A commonly quoted adult range is roughly 200 to 900 pg/mL, but the range printed on your report is the one that applies because ranges vary by lab and method. Levels below about 200 pg/mL are often linked with deficiency, and the 200 to 300 zone is a grey area where symptoms and follow-up tests guide the doctor.
Low B12 can be associated with a vegetarian diet, pernicious anaemia (an autoimmune problem with absorption), metformin or acid-suppressing medicines, and gut disease. A high value is usually from supplements or injections, though liver disease, kidney disease and some blood disorders can raise it too. Your doctor reads the result alongside your symptoms and other tests.
FAQ
Should I fast before a vitamin B12 test?
An overnight fast of 8 to 10 hours is preferred because a recent meal can nudge the result. If your doctor has said fasting isn't needed, follow that.
How much does the vitamin B12 test price come to?
That depends on the method and whether you take it alone or in a package such as the Full Body Checkup. Call or WhatsApp for the current price.
Is there a vitamin B12 test near me in Banur with home collection?
Yes. Our team collects at home in Banur and nearby villages daily, and in Rajpura, Zirakpur and the Mohali side by appointment. Book via home sample collection.
I had a B12 injection last week. Can I still test?
You can, but the result will mostly reflect the injection. Tell your doctor and us the date so the report is read correctly.
Can low B12 be present with a normal haemoglobin?
Yes. Nerve symptoms sometimes appear before anaemia does, which is why doctors test B12 directly rather than relying on the blood count.
Book at Alpha Laboratory
We've been collecting samples on M.C. Road, Banur since 2014, and a fasting vitamin B12 test fits neatly into an early morning visit. Call 8872524007, WhatsApp us, or find hours and directions on the contact page.