Home›Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) & Vitamin B12

Content created by

Written by

DNB, DCP

Reviewed by

Dr. Ashish Ranjan

MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)

Want to know more?
Read our Editorial Policy

Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) & Vitamin B12

Also known as 25-OH vitamin D, Calcidiol, Cyanocobalamin, Methylcobalamin, Cobalamin

Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) & Vitamin B12 Includes 2 testsView All

You need to provide

Blood

This test is for

Male, Female

Test Preparation

No special preparation is required.

Understanding Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) & Vitamin B12

What is Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) & Vitamin B12?

The Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) & Vitamin B12 package helps measure the level of vitamin D and B12 in the blood and detect possible health concerns associated with vitamin D and vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin D helps keep bones, teeth, and muscles healthy, whereas vitamin B12 maintains blood, brain, and nerve functions.

Vitamins, although required in small amounts, are significant in maintaining your overall health and well-being. Vitamin D plays a vital role in many bodily functions, including immune system regulation, bone health maintenance, and cell growth. It is also a multifunctional hormone that regulates the levels of other nutrients, such as calcium and phosphorus. Low vitamin D levels can lead to many disorders, such as an increased risk of fractures, muscle weakness and lethargy, dysfunction of the immune system, and an increased risk of chronic diseases like diabetes.

Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, belongs to the B complex group of vitamins. It is vital for making red blood cells, cell and tissue repair, and optimal brain and nerve health. Some common symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include weakness, mouth ulcers, appetite loss, numbness, muscle weakness, etc.

The Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) & Vitamin B12 package can help determine vitamin D and vitamin B12 deficiencies or if you have too much vitamin D in your body (most likely from excessive supplements). This test also helps determine the response to vitamin B12 therapy in conditions like anemia. Additionally, this test is an important monitoring parameter to maintain a healthy pregnancy, as low vitamin B12 levels have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes like anemia, low birth weight, and growth retardation of the baby.

Usually, no special preparation is required for this test. You may eat and drink as per your daily routine. However, do let your doctor know about all the medications you take, as some of them may affect the accuracy of the test results.

Test result ranges are approximate and may differ slightly between labs depending on the methodology and laboratory guidelines. Talk to your doctor about your specific test results. The results will help them determine your medical condition, make recommendations for lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise, prescribe medication, if required, to manage your condition, and formulate your overall treatment plan.

What is Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) & Vitamin B12 used for?

The Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) & Vitamin B12 package can be done:

As part of routine checkups to monitor your overall health.
To determine deficient, insufficient, or toxic levels of vitamin D and B12 in the body.
If you have vitamin D deficiency symptoms, such as bone deformities, immune system dysfunction, muscle cramps, and dental abnormalities.
If you have symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, such as weakness, fatigue, painful tongue, frequent mouth ulcers, pins and needles sensation (mostly in feet or hands).
To monitor the adequacy of treatment in patients who are receiving vitamin D and vitamin B12 supplements.
To diagnose/monitor problems with the functioning of the parathyroid gland since the parathyroid hormone (PTH) is essential for vitamin D metabolism.
As a monitoring parameter for a healthy pregnancy.
If you have been diagnosed with pernicious anemia.
If you are on medications or have a medical condition that may interfere with vitamin B12 absorption in your body.

What does Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) & Vitamin B12 measure?

Contains 2 tests

The Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) & Vitamin B12 package is tailored to analyze the levels of two important vitamins in your body: vitamin D (25-OH) and vitamin B12. Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that can be synthesized in the body upon healthy exposure to sunlight or absorbed from dietary sources. Vitamin B12 is necessary for various health aspects, such as maintaining a healthy nervous system, making red blood cells, and creating the genetic material of our cells.

Vitamin B12

The Vitamin B12 test measures your vitamin B12 levels. Vitamin B12 is essential for various health aspects, such as maintaining a healthy nervous system, making red blood cells, and creating the genetic material of our cells. Low vitamin B12 levels are more likely to occur in older adults, children, vegans, vegetarians, people with diabetes, individuals who underwent gastric bypass surgery, women who are breastfeeding, and in conditions that impact absorption of this vitamin, like Crohn’s disease. Higher vitamin B12 levels seen in pateint on vitamin suplement does not need treatment as excessive vitamin B12 is usually removed through the urine. However, some conditions, such as liver diseases and myeloproliferative disorders, can cause an increase in vitamin B12 levels, thereby affecting blood cell production.

Know more about Vitamin B12

Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy)

The Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) test measures the levels of vitamin D in the body. It is an essential nutrient that can be synthesized in the body upon healthy exposure to sunlight or absorbed from dietary sources. It majorly exists in two forms: Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). Vitamin D2 is present in plants, such as yeast or mushrooms, and is available as a supplement in fortified foods, and vitamin D3 is found in foods like cheese, green vegetables, mushrooms, egg yolks, and fatty fish.

Both forms of vitamin D (D2 and D3) need to undergo some chemical changes before being available for use in the body. These chemical changes take place in the liver or kidneys.The levels of 25-hydroxy Vitamin D in blood is considered the best parameter to assess vitamin D status of the body. A Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) measures the level of Total 25-OH vitamin D (D2+D3) , but it does not differentiate between the two forms as it is the major form of vitamin D that circulates in the blood.

Know more about Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy)

Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) & Vitamin B12

Frequently Asked Questions about Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) & Vitamin B12

Q. What is the right time to get the Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) & Vitamin B12 package done?

This package can be done at any time of the day. However, It is advised that you stop taking vitamin D and vitamin B12 supplements at least 24 hours before the test to get accurate results.

Q. Are there any risks associated with the Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) & Vitamin B12 package?

No, usually, there are no risks associated with this package. The blood sample is withdrawn with the help of a needle, and the process is fairly fast and relatively painless. Very rarely, you may experience excessive pain, bleeding, hematoma (blood collection under the skin), bruising, or infection at the site of the needle prick. Consult the doctor if you experience any of these.

Q. What are the signs and symptoms of low vitamin D levels?

Signs and symptoms of vitamin D deficiency may include fatigue, bone pain, depression, hair loss, muscle weakness, appetite loss, pale skin, and sleep disturbances.

Q. What can cause vitamin D deficiency?

The primary causes of vitamin D deficiency are insufficient sunlight exposure or a vitamin D-deficient diet.

Q. What happens if my vitamin D is low?

Low vitamin D can have adverse effects on the whole body. It can increase the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, infections, immune system disorders, multiple sclerosis, and colon, prostate, and breast cancers.

Q. How can I raise my vitamin D levels naturally?

Always consult your doctor if your test results show low vitamin D levels. However, oily fish, such as salmon or sardines, red meat, egg yolks, fortified cereals, and adequate sun exposure may help you boost your vitamin D levels naturally.

Q. What are the signs and symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency?

The signs and symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include fatigue, muscle weakness, loss of appetite, vision problems, painful tongue, mouth ulcers, fast and irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, tingling or numbness, and pins and needles or burning sensation in feet, hands, arms, and legs. Talk to your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.

Q. What is the cause of vitamin B12 deficiency?

Deficiency of vitamin B12 could be due to poor dietary intake, pernicious anemia (as it leads to poor absorption of vitamin B12), and certain types of stomach-related surgeries, such as weight loss surgery or any surgery of the intestines. Besides these, there are some medications that can also lead to vitamin B12 deficiency and some disorders of the immune system (those that decrease our body’s natural immunity), such as lupus or Graves’ disease. Consult your doctor if you have ever had any of these issues.

Q. What happens if my vitamin B12 level is low?

Your body stores 1,000 to 2,000 times as much vitamin B12 as you’d typically eat in a day, so the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency can take several years to appear. You may feel tired or weak if you have a vitamin B12 deficiency. You might also have loss of appetite, pale skin, heart palpitations, weight loss, and infertility. Your hands and feet might become numb or tingly, a sign of nerve problems. Other symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include problems with balance, depression, confusion, poor memory, and mouth or tongue soreness. In infants, signs of a vitamin B12 deficiency include failure to thrive, delays in reaching the typical developmental milestones, and megaloblastic anemia. Vitamin B12 deficiency can damage the nervous system even in people who don’t have megaloblastic anemia, so it’s important to treat a deficiency as soon as possible.

Q. How can I raise my vitamin B12 levels naturally?

Always consult your doctor if your vitamin B12 levels are lower than normal. However, incorporating foods rich in vitamin B12, such as meat, fish, milk, cheese, eggs, soy products, and fortified breakfast cereals, can help raise your vitamin B12 levels naturally.

Q. How much sun exposure is sufficient to get an adequate amount of vitamin D?

Regular sun exposure is the most natural way to get enough vitamin D. Usually, you need the afternoon sun for about 10 to 30 minutes several times weekly. However, people with darker skin may need a little longer than this. Your exposure time depends on how sensitive your skin is to sunlight.

Q. How much vitamin D is needed daily?

The recommended daily amount of vitamin D is 400 international units (IU) for children up to 12 months of age, 600 IU for people aged 1 to 70 years, and 800 IU for people aged over 70 years. For adults with vitamin D levels below 30 ng/mL, the Endocrine Society guidelines recommend a daily intake of 1,500–2,000 IU to restore healthy vitamin D levels.

Q. Can vitamin B12 deficiency cause depression?

Yes, vitamin B12 deficiency may cause depression and other similar problems like anxiety, psychosis, dementia, and delirium. Vitamin B12 along with the other forms of vitamin B are extremely important in regulating chemicals that regulate our mood and behavior.

Q. What is the role of vitamin B12 in pregnancy?

Pregnant women need adequate nutrition for the proper growth and development of the baby. Low vitamin B12 levels may cause anemia, low birth weight, and growth retardation in the unborn baby. The baby can also suffer from serious problems like spina bifida (improper development of the baby’s spine), incomplete brain development, and other brain-related issues. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to conceive to know about any supplements you may need during pregnancy.

+ more