Vitamin B12

Preferred Specimen(s) 1 mL serum

Transport Container Plastic screw-cap vial

Transport Temperature

Ambient 5 days,
Refrigerated (cold packs) 8 days

Reject Criteria Hemolysis

Methodology Chemiluminescence

Clinical Significance Vitamin B12 is decreased in pernicious anemia, total or partial gastrectomy, malabsorption and certain congenital and biochemical disorders. Its deficiency causes neurological disturbances and increases the serum level of homocysteine which is a cardiovascular risk factor.