Vitamin B12
An essential vitamin for nerve function and red blood cell production, particularly relevant on plant-based diets.
This is educational information, not a diagnosis. Only a doctor reviewing your full report and history can properly interpret your result.
What It Is
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin needed for nerve function, DNA synthesis, and red blood cell formation. Because it's found almost exclusively in animal products, both intake and absorption matter.
Why It Matters
Low B12 can lead to fatigue, nerve symptoms, and a particular type of anaemia, and can develop silently over months to years, especially with reduced absorption or a strictly plant-based diet without supplementation.
Typical Reference Range
A commonly cited reference range is roughly 200-900 pg/mL, though the lower end of 'normal' is debated, and some people experience symptoms at levels still technically within range.
What Can Affect Your Results
- Dietary intake, especially plant-based diets without supplementation
- Age, since absorption tends to decline over time
- Certain digestive conditions or surgeries
- Long-term use of some medications, including acid reducers
- Pernicious anaemia and other absorption disorders
When It's Typically Checked
Vitamin B12 is checked when investigating fatigue, nerve symptoms, or anaemia, and is often monitored proactively on plant-based diets.
Related Tests
Medical Disclaimer
This page is provided for general educational purposes only and does not diagnose, treat, or interpret your individual results. Reference ranges vary between laboratories and testing methods, and a result outside a ‘typical’ range does not necessarily indicate a health problem, just as a result inside it doesn’t rule one out. Only a qualified physician reviewing your complete health picture can properly interpret your lab results — please discuss your reports with Dr Naturals or your treating doctor rather than relying on this page alone.