Blood analysis for the investigation of B12 deficiency
Vitamin B12 is crucial for the nervous system, blood formation and the body's energy production. A deficiency of B12 can cause diffuse and sometimes prolonged symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, numbness, memory impairment and depression. In many cases, the deficiency is not detected with just a regular B12 test, whereupon we have now launched a dedicated blood analysis for suspected B12 deficiency.
The analysis is designed to offer a medically reliable investigation in cases of suspected B12 deficiency. By combining several complementary blood markers, the doctor has a good chance of detecting both clear and functional B12 deficiency.
What is the purpose of the analysis?
The purpose is to investigate whether your symptoms can be explained by B12 deficiency, even in cases where the total B12 value is close to or within the reference range. The analysis provides a comprehensive picture of the body's access to active B12, how the vitamin is used in the cells and whether the deficiency has already begun to affect blood formation.
Medical assessment with focus on B12 deficiency
Your test results are reviewed by a licensed physician who focuses on B12 metabolism and its clinical consequences. The assessment includes not only clearly deviating values, but also test results in gray areas and how the markers interact with each other.
The goal is for you to receive a clear medical interpretation of whether there are signs of B12 deficiency, incipient deficiency or functional deficiency, and whether the blood picture shows an impact. The feedback also includes recommendations for possible treatment and when further investigation may be warranted.
Common symptoms of B12 deficiency
B12 deficiency can cause many different symptoms and often develop gradually over time. For some, it starts with a diffuse fatigue or decreased mental acuity, while others experience more obvious neurological or blood-related problems. Because the symptoms can be nonspecific, it is common for B12 deficiency to remain undetected without targeted testing.
- Fatigue or persistent low energy
- Brain fog, memory or concentration difficulties
- Tingling, numbness or tingling sensation in the hands and feet
- Depressed mood, irritability or altered mood
- Palour or signs of anemia
- Dizziness, palpitations or decreased energy
If you recognize yourself in one or more of the symptoms above and especially if they have been going on for a long time, an in-depth investigation of your B12 status may be an option to understand whether there is a treatable cause.
What is analyzed in the B12 investigation?
This analysis is designed to provide a more reliable and complete picture of the body's access to vitamin B12 than a single B12 test. By combining several complementary markers, we can assess both how much B12 is in the blood and how well the vitamin is actually used in the body. The analysis includes active B12, functional markers that reflect B12 deficiency at the cellular level, and blood status linked to red blood cells. The combination makes it possible to detect even incipient or functional B12 deficiency, and to assess whether the deficiency has already affected blood formation.
