Vitamin B12, active Holo Transcobalamin Serum

• The Vitamin B12 Active Holo Transcobalamin test is done to measure the level of active vitamin B12 in the body.
• This test can help diagnose a deficiency in vitamin B12, which can cause symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, constipation, nerve damage, and anemia.
• It can also help monitor the effectiveness of vitamin B12 treatment.

The Vitamin B12 Active Holo Transcobalamin test is typically recommended for individuals who have symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency or who are at risk for deficiency. Some groups of people who may be at higher risk for deficiency and may need to be tested include:

• Vegetarians and vegans who do not consume meat, poultry, fish, eggs, or dairy products, as vitamin B12 is mostly found in animal-derived foods.
• People with gastrointestinal disorders such as celiac disease, Crohn's disease, or pernicious anemia, which can affect the absorption of vitamin B12.
• People who have had weight-loss surgery or other procedures that affect the stomach or small intestine.
• People who take certain medications, such as proton pump inhibitors, metformin, and H2 receptor antagonists which can decrease the absorption of vitamin B12
• Elderly people, as they may have a decreased ability to absorb vitamin B12.

The Vitamin B12 Active Holo Transcobalamin test measures the level of active vitamin B12 that is bound to a protein called transcobalamin (also known as holotranscobalamin or holoTC) in the blood. This is the form of vitamin B12 that is easily used by the body's cells, and it is considered the most accurate indicator of the body's vitamin B12 status.

It's important to note that the Vitamin B12 Active Holo Transcobalamin test is not the only test available to measure the vitamin B12 status, other tests such as serum Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) and Methylmalonic acid test are also used to diagnose vitamin B12 deficiency.

This test requires a blood sample. A tourniquet (elastic) band is placed tightly on the upper arm. The patient is then asked to make a fist. This helps in the build-up of blood filling the veins. The skin is disinfected before needle insertion and the blood sample is collected in vacutainer.

Vitamin B12 Active Holo Transcobalamin test measures the amount of vitamin B12 that is bound to transcobalamin as a percentage of total vitamin B12. A low percentage of vitamin B12 bound to transcobalamin can indicate a deficiency in vitamin B12, while a normal or high percentage can indicate that the body has enough vitamin B12.

This can be caused by a variety of factors such as poor diet, certain medical conditions, or the use of certain medications. It can also be an early indicator of pernicious anemia, a condition in which the body is unable to absorb Vitamin B12 properly.