{"product_id":"vitamin-b12-serum","title":"Vitamin B12, serum","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVitamin B12, cobalamin, is part of the B complex family of vitamins. Vitamin B12 is necessary for converting the inactive form of folate to its active form, playing an important role in the production and function of red blood cells (RBCs) and breakdown down the blood toxin homocysteine. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA deficiency of B12, like folate, can cause anemia and elevated homocysteine. Decreased B12 levels can also decrease the cell’s ability to absorb folate, which can contribute to folate deficiency. Low B12 is associated with cognitive impairment and dementia, specifically, Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and Parkinson’s disease.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlternate Name: B12, Cobalamin, Cyanocobalamin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"accordion\"\u003eWhat’s Reported\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"panel\"\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVitamin B12 (Cobalamin)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMethodology: Immunoassay (IA)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"accordion\"\u003eHow to prepare\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"panel\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFasting: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNo.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDrink plenty of water to stay well hydrated.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMedications: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTake all medications as prescribed. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecial considerations:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e B vitamin supplements should be avoided 3 days prior to testing as they can interfere with results. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"accordion\"\u003eHow long until you get the results\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"panel\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2-3 business days\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eResult turnaround times are estimates and not guaranteed. Due to factors outside of our control, such as weather, holidays, confirmation\/repeat testing or equipment maintenance, our lab may require additional time to complete tests.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"accordion\"\u003eMore about this test\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"panel\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVitamin B12 is necessary for converting the inactive form of folate to its active form, playing an important role in the production and function of red blood cells (RBCs) and breakdown down the blood toxin homocysteine. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA deficiency of B12, like folate, can cause anemia and elevated homocysteine. Decreased B12 levels can also decrease the cell’s ability to absorb folate, which can contribute to folate deficiency. Low B12 is associated with cognitive impairment and dementia, specifically, Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and Parkinson’s disease.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe absorption of B12 depends on a protein called intrinsic factor (IF). Without IF, vitamin B12 cannot be absorbed. The most common causes of B12 deficiency are a lack of intrinsic factor and low stomach acid, which is also required for vitamin B12’s absorption. In vegans and vegetarians, a lack of dietary intake of B12 is the most common cause of B12 deficiency.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe research shows that deficiencies in vitamin B12 and folate can lead to macrocytic anemia, hyperhomocysteinemia, and neurologic and psychiatric disorders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"accordion\"\u003eAdditional resources\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"panel\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/drugs-supplements-vitamin-b12\/art-20363663\"\u003eVitamin B12\u003c\/a\u003e (Mayo Clinic)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"accordion\"\u003eReferences\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"panel\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCario H., Smith D.E., Blom H., et al. Dihydrofolate reductase deficiency due to a homozygous DHFR mutation causes megaloblastic anemia and cerebral folate deficiency leading to severe neurologic disease. Am. \u003cem\u003eJ. Hum. Genet\u003c\/em\u003e. 2011;88:226–231. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLachner C., Steinle N.I., Regenold W.T. The neuropsychiatry of vitamin B12 deficiency in elderly patients. \u003cem\u003eJ. Neuropsychiatry Clin. Neurosci\u003c\/em\u003e. 2012;24:5–15.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMoore E., Mander A., Ames D., et al. \u003cspan\u003eCognitive impairment and vitamin B12: a review. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/22221769\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eInt Psychogeriatr\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/22221769\"\u003e.\u003c\/a\u003e 2012 Apr;24(4):541-56.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOh, R. \u0026amp; Brown, D. L.. 2003. Vitamin B12 deficiency. \u003cem\u003eAmerican Family Physician\u003c\/em\u003e 67: 979-86.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOwczarek D., Rodacki T., Domagala-Rodacka R., et al. Diet and nutritional factors in inflammatory bowel diseases. \u003cem\u003eWorld J. Gastroenterol\u003c\/em\u003e. 2016;22:895–905.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"NBI Health","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":30678835724359,"sku":"927","price":48.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0051\/2039\/3287\/products\/Blood-Test2_7dce0b56-7a04-4fd0-a2ba-58bd4b1a0916.jpg?v=1570907343","url":"https:\/\/vpsdev1.myshopify.com\/products\/vitamin-b12-serum","provider":"NBI","version":"1.0","type":"link"}