- Doctor reviewed results
- RESULTS WITHIN 48HRS
your discount will be applied at checkout
your 10% discount will be applied at checkout
OFFER ENDS TODAY!
Vitamin B12 is part of the B complex of vitamins alongside vitamin B9 or folate. They are essential vitamins, so the body is unable to make them itself and so instead must take them in through the diet. Vitamin B12 is required for the formation of red blood cells as well as for forming a coat around nerve cells called myelin.[1]
Vitamin B12 plays a key role in several physiological functions. It is needed for the maturation of red blood cells, if it is not present then this can lead to pernicious anaemia which can have neurological side effects.[2]
Vitamin B12 is also required for cell metabolism and function, so deficiency can have detrimental effects on the body’s organ systems. Deficiency can be subtle and non-specific which can make diagnosis difficult.[2]
The body can store vitamin B12 which means deficiency may occur over a prolonged period.[3] The body can store up to 5mg of vitamin B12 and as the UK government recommends a daily intake of 1.5 micrograms per day, depleting these stores can take several years.[4]
Vitamin B12 can only be derived from animal sources such as meat, fish and dairy. Therefore, deficiency can be common amongst the vegan and/or vegetarian community. It can also be present in pregnant women as their requirements will increase. Older people are also susceptible possibly due to poor nutrition. Some of the symptoms of B12 deficiency include:
Usually, folate is also analysed alongside vitamin B12 as these can both be markers for macrocytic anaemias (where red cells are larger than they should be and have a reduced oxygen carrying capacity). They can also both be used to look at nutritional status especially if malnutrition is suspected. Both B vitamins are needed for adequate red cell development, cell repair and DNA synthesis.
High levels of vitamin B12 are not usually observed but may be seen with leukaemia or liver dysfunction.
Vitamin B12 is part of the B complex of vitamins alongside vitamin B9 or folate. They are essential vitamins, so the body is unable to make them itself and so instead must take them in through the diet. Vitamin B12 is required for the formation of red blood cells as well as for forming a coat around nerve cells called myelin.[1]
As vitamin B12 is found in foods derived from animal sources you should incorporate these into your diet. Good sources include:
liver beef clams trout salmon cheese milk yoghurt eggs chicken If you cannot eat meat, then vitamin B12 supplementation may be required to ensure you have enough in your body for it to function appropriately.[5]
If your diet is high in vitamin C this can also limit the normal absorption of vitamin B12. Therefore, you should keep your intake of vitamin C within normal parameters and perhaps consume it separately to vitamin B12 where appropriate.[1]
Exercise is believed to be key to managing stress and reducing anxiety and depression.[6] You should aim to exercise for 30-60 minutes most days of the week to feel the full benefits of exercise.
However, you should bear in mind that anaemia can seriously affect your energy levels. Therefore, you may find that your performance may be affected if you are anaemic.
All these tests include Active B12. Select the test that suits your personal needs.
[1] The Open University. (2017). Nutrition: Vitamins and Minerals. The Open University.
[2] Peters, P and Schaefer, C. (2007). Vitamins, Minerals and Trace Elements. In: Drugs During Pregnancy and Lactation, 2nd ed.
[3] Institute of Medicine (US). (1998). Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes and its Panel on Folate, Other B Vitamins, and Choline. Dietary Reference Intakes for Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, and Choline. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); N, Estimation of the Period Covered by Vitamin B12 Stores.
[4] Hunt, A., Harrington, D and Robinson, S. (2014). Vitamin B12 Deficiency. BMJ: 349.
[5] National Institutes of Health. (2018). Vitamin B12. Available at: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/#h3
[6] Harvard Health Publishing Harvard Medical School. (2011). Exercising to Relax. Available at: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/exercising-to-relax
Kits ordered before 1pm from Monday to Friday continue to be dispatched same day via First Class Royal Mail. After 1pm your kit will be dispatched the next working day. Orders placed on the weekend will be despatched Monday.
There may be some delays in parts of the UK occurring, we recommend posting into a priority post box. Click here for updates on the Royal Mail service. Click here for updates on the Royal Mail service.
Our labs are operating as normal.
Our doctors and nurses are currently working remotely and continue to review results.
Our home phlebotomy service is running but please be aware, if you or anyone in your household have experienced symptoms of COVID-19 within the last 14 days, due to the current government guidelines, we are unable to arrange an appointment at this time. Due to a high demand for nurses, along with current covid restrictions around the UK, there may be a delay in providing an appointment.
Our customer service team are currently working from home, available to answer any questions via email.
You can continue to access your results as normal either through your browser or via our iOS or Android app.