Vitamin B12

This test measures the vitamin B12 (or cobalamin) levels in the blood. Vitamin B12 is vital for red blood cell formation, tissue repair, DNA synthesis and good nerve health.

Vitamin B12 is an important vitamin for a range of bodily functions, from brain health and blood cell production to proper nerve function. Having too little can cause problems, such as anaemia, fatigue and neurological conditions, while too much can be associated with liver and kidney problems and leukemia.

Our bodies don't naturally produce B12, instead, we get it from the foods we eat, like fish, dairy and meat. This means, some people with diets that restrict their intake of animal products, like vegetarians and vegans may be more at risk of having lower levels.

If you are concerned about your B12 levels, a private B12 blood test can help analyse your levels and provide insights into whether they are in a healthy range.

At Bluecrest Wellness, our private B12 blood test is a quick, easy and accurate way to assess your B12 levels.

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What is a private B12 blood test?

A private B12 blood test analyses the amount of vitamin B12 in your blood. B12 is an essential vitamin that plays an important role in many bodily functions, including brain health, normal blood cell production and proper nerve functioning.

Having too much or too little B12 can be linked to various health conditions, including:

• Anaemia
• Fatigue
• Temporary infertility
• Liver disease
• Kidney failure
• Certain types of leukaemia

A B12 blood test is a quick and easy way to evaluate your B12 levels, indicating if you are suffering from a deficiency and need supplementation or further investigations or have high levels that require dietary management or further investigation.

Why should I have a private blood test for vitamin B12?

A B12 blood test can help you better understand your B12 levels and take appropriate action to try and ensure your levels stay within a healthy range. In the UK, it is estimated that approximately six percent of the population under 60 have low levels of B12, so regularly checking your levels is a good idea if you want to take a proactive approach to managing your health.

As our bodies cannot produce B12, we must get it from the foods we eat. The highest sources of vitamin B12 are found in animal products, like fish, meat and dairy. This means vegans, vegetarians, or people who don't often eat animal products rich in B12 can be at higher risk of having low vitamin B12 levels.

In addition, people who have trouble absorbing vitamin B12 due to an existing health condition, like pernicious anaemia or following gastric bypass surgery, may also be at risk of low levels.

If you suspect your levels are low, you may experience symptoms, such as:

• Fatigue
• Heart palpitations
• Temporary infertility
• Neurological problems
• Tingling in hands and feet
• Confusion
• Loss of appetite
• Weakness

High levels of B12 can be caused by a diet high in red meat. However, if this is not the case, you may require further investigations to look for underlying health conditions, like:

• Liver disease
• Kidney failure
• Some types of leukaemia

Description provided by Bluecrest Wellness.