Vitamin B12 - serum
Last updated: Wednesday, 31, March, 2004
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| Item | Process |
|---|---|
| Specimen | 5-10 mL blood in plain tube. |
| Method | Immunoassay. |
| Reference Interval | Generally 120-680 pmol/L. |
| Application | Investigation of a patient with a high MCV and/or morphological changes (blood film) suggestive of megaloblastic anaemia. Although significant vitamin B12 deficiency with a normal FBC has been described in patients with neurological manifestations, this is rare and careful examination of the blood film has shown occasional macrocytes and neutrophil hypersegmentation. |
| Interpretation | Low in megaloblastic anaemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency. Borderline levels may be seen in patients with folate deficiency. |
| Reference | Chanarin I. The Megaloblastic Anaemias. 3rd ed. Blackwell Scientific 1990. Bain BJ. Blood Cells - A Practical Guide. 2nd ed. Blackwell Science 1995. Curtis AD et al. Clin Lab Haematol 1986; 8: 135-140. |