| Laboratory: | Clinical Biochemistry | ||||
| Test Name: |
VITAMIN B12 - (P)
Test Code:
B12
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| Clinical Information: |
Test Indications: This test is used for the investigation of vitamin B12 deficiency.
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is a water-soluble vitamin necessary for hematopoesis and normal neuronal function. It is not synthetized in humans so it must be obtained from animal protein intake. Patient Preparation Instructions: Multivitamins (45–125 µg biotin) or biotin-only supplements up to 1 mg per day do not interfere with this test. Samples should not be taken from patients receiving therapy with high biotin doses (i.e. >5 mg/day) until at least 8 hours after the last dose. |
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| Collection Devices: |
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| Specimen Required: |
Plasma: 2.0 mL
Pediatric Plasma: 0.5 mL
Stability 2 days refrigerated, 8 weeks frozen |
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| Referral: |
Serum: 2.0 mL
Samples must be transferred to an aliquot tube and stored frozen if analysis will not be complete within 48 hours (#110-10-05 Serum / Plasma Separation Procedure & Transport)
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| Requisition: | |||||
| Reference Values: |
Normal: >180 pmol/L
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| Availability: |
Daily
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| See Also: | |||||
| More Information: |