Biomarker Lens

Common biomarkers

  • Hemoglobin
  • Glucose
  • ALT
  • Apolipoprotein B
  • C-Reactive Protein, Cardiac
  • Ferritin
  • Alb/Creat Ratio, Urine
  • Alkaline Phosphatase
  • FSH
  • T4,Free(Direct)

Biomarkers · Chemical

Vitamin B12

Also listed as
b12, cobalamin
Primary unit
pg/mL
LOINC codes
2132-9
Tests that measure Vitamin B12
Quest Diagnostics 10, Labcorp 9

Ranges

Compare the reference ranges labs publish with guideline targets, diagnostic cut-offs, study-based ranges and practitioner targets. Move across the rows to check a value against each range, and open a source from the legend. How to read these ranges

Vitamin B12, pg/mL

Labs
Cut-offs
  • Lab reference ranges2 labs
  • Diagnostic cut-offs3 cut-offs
All 5 published ranges, with sources

Lab reference ranges

Diagnostic cut-offs

Tests

Check the catalog code, specimen, method and preparation for every test that measures Vitamin B12. Select up to five tests to compare them side by side.

Quest Diagnostics 10 tests

Single-analyte tests

  • Micronutrient, Vitamin B12 10194

    Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround Set up: Tues-Sat

    Method and collection
    Method
    Immunoassay (IA)
    Collection
    Patients should be 18 years of age or greater
    Reference notes
    ≥18 years 200-1100 pg/mL Reference range not available for individuals <18 years for this micronutrient test.
    Quest Diagnostics catalog page

  • Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) 927

    Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround Set up: Mon-Fri; Report available: 5 days

    Method and collection
    Method
    Immunoassay (IA)
    Reference notes
    ≤4 Years Not established 5-9 Years 250-1205 pg/mL 10-17 Years 260-935 pg/mL >17 Years 200-1100 pg/mL
    Quest Diagnostics catalog page

Panels that include this biomarker

  • Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) and Folate Panel, Serum 7065

    2 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated

    Method and collection
    Method
    Immunoassay (IA)
    Collection
    Dietary supplements containing biotin may interfere in assays and may skew analyte results to be either falsely high or falsely low. For patients receiving the recommended daily doses of biotin, draw samples at least 8 hours following the last biotin supplementation. For patients on mega-doses of biotin supplements, draw samples at least 72 hours following the last biotin supplementation. Note: If transport to performing laboratory will exceed 24 hours please transport refrigerated (cold packs)
    Reference notes
    See individual tests
    Quest Diagnostics catalog page

  • Dementia Panel, Secondary Causes 34541

    3 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated

    Method and collection
    Method
    See individual tests
    Preparation
    Fasting specimen is preferred. Specimen collection after fluorescein dye angiography should be delayed for at least 3 days. For patients on hemodialysis, specimen collection should be delayed for 2 weeks. According to the assay manufacturer Siemens: "Samples containing fluorescein can produce falsely depressed values when tested with the Advia Centaur TSH3 Ultra assay."
    Collection
    EDTA (lavender-top): Maintain specimen at room temperature. Do not refrigerate. If multiple draw, collect EDTA (lavender-top) tube last. Traumatic draw can introduce thromboplastin and trap WBC and platelets. Refrigeration can precipitate fibrin and trap WBC and platelets. Serum note: If transport to performing laboratory will exceed 24 hours please transport refrigerated (cold packs).
    Reference notes
    See Laboratory Report
    Quest Diagnostics catalog page

  • Pernicious Anemia Diagnostic Panel 91304

    3 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated

    Method and collection
    Method
    Immunoassay (IA) • Mass Spectrometry (MS)
    Preparation
    Samples should not be collected from a patient who has received vitamin B12 injection therapy within the past week.
    Collection
    Do not expose specimen to light for more than 24 hours. Note: Send serum in an amber tube. If amber tube is not available, wrap tube in aluminum foil to protect from light. Separate serum into three tubes, 1 tube with 2 mL and 2 tubes with 1 mL each. Red-top tube (preferred): Centrifuge the specimen as soon as possible after complete clot formation has taken place. Transfer the serum to a plastic screw-capped vial and ship it at refrigerated temperature. Barrier gel separator tube (acceptable): Centrifuge the specimen as soon as possible after complete clot formation has taken place. Do not place barrier tubes in an ice bath as freezing may prevent the barrier gel from adequately separating serum from cells. Transfer the serum to a plastic screw-capped vial and ship it at refrigerated temperature. Heparin tube (acceptable): Centrifuge the specimen as soon as possible (within one hour after collection) and transfer the plasma to a plastic screw-capped vial and ship it at refrigerated temperature.
    Reference notes
    See individual tests
    Quest Diagnostics catalog page

  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Differential Evaluation with Reflexes 18216

    4 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround Set up: See individual assays; Report available: 7 days

    Method and collection
    Method
    Cell-based Immunofluorescence Assay • Immunoassay (IA) • Immunoturbidimetric Assay • Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA) • Immunoblot (IB)
    Collection
    Label the tubes according to your standard operating procedure, making sure that each tube has at least two unique patient identifiers. Draw 9 tubes, 11 mL serum in a red-top tube (no gel). Allow the blood to clot for at least 30 minutes, but not longer than 1 hour before centrifugation. Centrifuge each tube for 15 minutes at 1250 to 1600 RCF. Transfer serum to plastic screw-cap vial(s). The plastic screw-cap vial containing serum must be labeled with the specimen type. Place sample(s) on cold packs or in refrigerator. Sample is stable for 7 days at 2-8° C (refrigerated). Do not transport or store samples at room temperature.
    Reference notes
    See Laboratory Report
    Quest Diagnostics catalog page

  • Post COVID-19 Panel 11454

    5 analytes · See individual tests · Fasting not stated

    Method and collection
    Method
    See individual tests
    Reference notes
    See individual tests
    Quest Diagnostics catalog page

Labcorp 9 tests

Single-analyte tests

  • Vitamin B12 001503

    Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround Within 1 day

    Method and collection
    Method
    Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA)
    Preparation
    Fasting specimen preferred; must draw before Schilling test, transfusions or B12 therapy is started.
    Collection
    If a red-top tube is used, transfer separated serum to a plastic transport tube.
    Reference notes
    232−1245 pg/mL
    Labcorp catalog page

  • Vitamin B12 Deficiency Cascade 141503

    Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround 1 - 2 days

    Method and collection
    Collection
    If a red-top tube is used, transfer separated serum to a plastic transport tube.
    Labcorp catalog page

Panels that include this biomarker

  • Vitamin B12 and Folates 000810

    2 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround Within 1 day

    Method and collection
    Method
    Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA)
    Collection
    If red-top tube is used, transfer separated serum immediately to a plastic transport tube.
    Labcorp catalog page

  • Pre-Bariatric Surgery Micronutrient Profile 259104

    9 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround 2 - 4 days

    Method and collection
    Method
    See individual test components.
    Labcorp catalog page

  • Anemia Profile B 042077

    26 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround Within 1 day

    Method and collection
    Method
    See individual tests.
    Labcorp catalog page

  • Post-Bariatric Surgery Micronutrient Profile 259129

    33 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround 3 - 5 days

    Method and collection
    Method
    See individual test components.
    Labcorp catalog page

  • Post-Bariatric Surgery Comprehensive Profile 259090

    50 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround 5 - 7 days

    Method and collection
    Method
    See individual test components.
    Labcorp catalog page

0 of 5 tests selected

Pick one more

Goals and conditions

We link Vitamin B12 to these goals and conditions from named guidelines and studies.

Sources

Verify these ranges and sources

We compile this page from named laboratory catalogs, guidelines and studies. Labs calculate reference intervals from the people they test, for one assay method and one population group, so an interval describes that population rather than an optimal target.

Interpret your own results with a licensed clinician, or track your lab history and health goals in Aumnivida.

Spotted an error? Email hello@biomarkerlens.com with the page URL and the primary source that corrects the entry.