Vitamin B-12 & Folate Test Panel
About the Test
🏠 Collection Method: At-home or In-person
🧪 Sample Type: Blood
🔞 Age: 18+
⚠️ Preparation: If you're using a supplement with biotin, often found in hair, skin, and nail products, it's advised to wait at least 72 hours after your last dose before having your sample collected.
📊 After the test: Results can take a few hours to a few days. Sent to you directly.
$78.50
HOW IT WORKS
Skip the doctor’s visit – purchase directly and get started.
Book your sample collection at Genics Laboratories locations, or choose the convenient in-home collection option if available in your area.
Once your results are ready, you’ll receive an email so you can access them online right away. An independent physician is available to discuss your results.
No doctor visit needed. If available in your area, enjoy the convenience of in-home sample collection for just $69 extra.
After completing your purchase Genics Mobile Phlebotomy Coordinator will contact you to arrange your in-home sample collection appointment.
A certified Genics Mobile phlebotomist will come to your home to collect your sample and deliver it securely to our laboratory for processing.
Once your results are ready, you’ll receive an email so you can access them online right away. An independent physician is available to discuss your results.
What’s Tested
A Vitamin B12 and folate (vitamin B9) test is a blood test that measures the levels of these two essential nutrients in your body. Both vitamins play a critical role in red blood cell production, nerve function, DNA synthesis, and overall energy levels. Deficiencies in either can lead to serious health issues, including anemia, neurological problems, and in the case of folate, birth defects during pregnancy.
Who Should Consider This Test?
You may benefit from a Vitamin B12 and folate test if you:
-Experience symptoms like fatigue, numbness or tingling, memory issues, weakness, or pale skin.
-Follow a vegan or vegetarian diet, as B12 is found mainly in animal products.
-Have digestive conditions (e.g., Crohn’s disease, celiac disease) or have had gastric surgery, which can affect nutrient absorption.
-Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, since folate is vital for fetal development and preventing neural tube defects.
-Are over age 50, as B12 absorption tends to decrease with age.
-Take medications that interfere with vitamin absorption (e.g., metformin, proton pump inhibitors, anticonvulsants).
This test is particularly valuable because B12 and folate deficiencies can develop gradually and often go unnoticed until symptoms become more severe. Early testing allows for prompt treatment with dietary changes or supplements, preventing long-term complications.
What’s being tested:
- Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin):
Vitamin B12 is crucial for making new red blood cells, maintaining nerve health, repairing tissues, and generating DNA.
Your body cannot produce B12 on its own; it must come from your diet, mainly from animal products like meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, and dairy. Low B12 can lead to megaloblastic (pernicious) anemia, fatigue, numbness or tingling in the limbs, memory problems, difficulty with balance, and potentially irreversible nerve damage if untreated.
The test helps diagnose unexplained anemia, nerve symptoms, or confusion, and is especially important for people at risk due to dietary restrictions, certain medications, or digestive disorders.
- Folate (Vitamin B9):
Folate is essential for DNA synthesis, red blood cell formation, and cell growth. It works closely with B12 in many body processes. Low folate can also cause megaloblastic anemia, fatigue, weakness, mouth sores, and—in pregnant women—an increased risk of birth defects in the baby.
The test helps identify the cause of anemia and assess nutritional status, especially in people with poor diets, malabsorption issues, or increased needs (such as pregnancy).
The test checks for healthy levels of both vitamins, which are vital for blood health, nerve function, and DNA synthesis. Deficiencies in either can lead to anemia and neurological symptoms, so the test is important for diagnosing the cause of these problems and guiding treatment.
Physician Review included
What to expect after the test
After you provide your specimen, it generally takes few business days to process and release your test results. Your test results will be available in a clear and easy-to-read report. Independent physicians are available to discuss questions or concerns you may have regarding your results.