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HelpTest ID: FB12 Vitamin B12 and Folate, Serum
Reporting Name
Vitamin B12 and Folate, SUseful For
Investigation of macrocytic anemia
Workup of deficiencies seen in megaloblastic anemias
Investigation of suspected folate deficiency
Profile Information
| Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
|---|---|---|---|
| B12 | Vitamin B12 Assay, S | Yes | Yes |
| FOL | Folate, S | Yes | Yes |
Testing Algorithm
For more information, see Vitamin B12 Deficiency Evaluation.
Specimen Type
SerumSpecimen Required
Patient Preparation:
1. Patient should be fasting for 8 hours.
2. Do not order on patients who have recently received methotrexate or other folic acid antagonists.
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Red top
Acceptable: Serum gel
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 7 days | |
| Frozen | 90 days |
Special Instructions
Reference Values
VITAMIN B12
180-914 ng/L
FOLATE
≥4.0 mcg/L
<4.0 mcg/L suggests folate deficiency
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Test Classification
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
82607-Vitamin B12
82746-Folate
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| FB12 | Vitamin B12 and Folate, S | 96805-7 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| B12 | Vitamin B12 Assay, S | 2132-9 |
| FOL | Folate, S | 2284-8 |
Clinical Information
B12:
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is necessary for hematopoiesis and normal neuronal function. In humans, it is obtained only from animal proteins and requires intrinsic factor (IF) for absorption. The body uses its vitamin B12 stores very economically, reabsorbing vitamin B12 from the ileum and returning it to the liver; very little is excreted.
Vitamin B12 deficiency may be due to lack of IF secretion by gastric mucosa (eg, gastrectomy, gastric atrophy) or intestinal malabsorption (eg, ileal resection, small intestinal diseases).
Vitamin B12 deficiency frequently causes macrocytic anemia, glossitis, peripheral neuropathy, weakness, hyperreflexia, ataxia, loss of proprioception, poor coordination, and affective behavioral changes. These manifestations may occur in any combination; many patients have the neurologic defects without macrocytic anemia.
Pernicious anemia is a macrocytic anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency that is due to a lack of IF secretion by gastric mucosa.
Serum methylmalonic acid and homocysteine levels are also elevated in vitamin B12 deficiency states.
Folate:
The term folate refers to all derivatives of folic acid. For practical purposes, serum folate is almost entirely in the form of N-(5)-methyl tetrahydrofolate.(4)
Approximately 20% of the folate absorbed daily is derived from dietary sources; the remainder is synthesized by intestinal microorganisms. Serum folate levels typically fall within a few days after dietary folate intake is reduced and may be low in the presence of normal tissue stores. RBC folate levels are less subject to short-term dietary changes.
Significant folate deficiency is characteristically associated with macrocytosis and megaloblastic anemia. Lower than normal serum folate also has been reported in patients with neuropsychiatric disorders, in pregnant women whose fetuses have neural tube defects, and in women who have recently had spontaneous abortions.(5) Folate deficiency is most commonly due to insufficient dietary intake and is most frequently encountered in pregnant women or in alcoholics.
Other causes of low serum folate concentration include:
-Excessive utilization (eg, liver disease, hemolytic disorders, and malignancies)
-Rare inborn errors of metabolism (eg, dihydrofolate reductase deficiency, forminotransferase deficiency, 5,10-methylenetetra-hydrofolate reductase deficiency, and tetrahydrofolate methyltransferase deficiency)
Interpretation
B12:
Concentration of vitamin B12 <180 ng/L may cause megaloblastic anemia and/or peripheral neuropathies.
Vitamin B12 concentrations <150 ng/L are considered evidence of vitamin B12 deficiency.
Vitamin B12 concentrations between 150 ng/L and 300 ng/L are considered borderline.
Follow-up testing for antibodies to intrinsic factor (IF) (IFBA / Intrinsic Factor Blocking Antibody, Serum) is recommended to identify this potential cause of vitamin B12 malabsorption.
For specimens without antibodies, follow-up testing of vitamin B12 tissue deficiency by measuring methylmalonic acid (MMA) (MMAS / Methylmalonic Acid [MMA], Quantitative, Serum) and/or homocysteine (HCYSP / Homocysteine, Total, Plasma) may be indicated if the patient is symptomatic.
A normal serum concentration of vitamin B12 does not rule out tissue deficiency of vitamin B12. The most sensitive test for vitamin B12 deficiency at the cellular level is the assay for MMA. If clinical symptoms suggest deficiency, measurement of MMA and homocysteine should be considered, even if serum vitamin B12 concentrations are normal.
Folate:
Serum folate is a relatively nonspecific test.(4) Low serum folate levels may be seen in the absence of deficiency and normal levels may be seen in patients with macrocytic anemia, dementia, neuropsychiatric disorders, and pregnancy disorders.
Results <4 mcg/L are suggestive of folate deficiency. The cut-off is based on consensus and was derived from the US NHANES III data.(5)
Evaluation of macrocytic anemias commonly requires measurement of the serum concentration of both vitamin B12 and folate; ideally they should be measured at the same point in time.
Additional testing with homocysteine and MMA determinations may help distinguish between B12 and folate deficiency states. In folate deficiency, homocysteine levels are elevated and MMA levels are normal. In vitamin B12 deficiency, both homocysteine levels and MMA levels are elevated.
For more information, see Vitamin B12 Deficiency Evaluation.
Clinical Reference
1. Babior BM: The megaloblastic anemias. In Hematology. Fifth edition. Edited by WJ Williams, E Beutler, MA Lichtman, et al. New York, McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1995, pp 471-490
2. Shenkin A, Baines M, Fell GS, et al: In Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. Edited by CA Burtis, ER Ashwood, DE Bruns. St. Louis, Elsevier, Inc., 2006, pp 1100-1105
3. Klee GG: Cobalamin and folate evaluation: measurement of methylmalonic acid and homocysteine vs vitamin B12 and folate. Clin Chem 2000 August;46(8 Pt 2):1277-1283
4. Fairbanks VF, Klee GG: Biochemical aspects of hematology. In Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry. Edited by CA Burtis, ER Ashwood. Philadelphia, WB Saunders Company, 1999, pp 1690-1698
5. George L, Mills JL, Johansson AL, et al: Plasma folate levels and risk of spontaneous abortion. JAMA 2002 October 16;288:1867-1873
6. Benoist BD: Conclusions of a WHO Technical Consultation on folate and vitamin B12 deficiencies. Food and Nutrition Bulletin 2008(volume 29, number 2) S238-S244
Report Available
1 to 3 daysMethod Name
B12: Immunoenzymatic Assay
FOL: Competitive Binding Receptor Assay
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Benign Hematology Test Request Form (T755) with the specimen.
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