Title: Vitamin B-12 Level Test: Purpose, Procedure & Results
Headings: What Is a Vitamin B-12 Test?
What Is a Vitamin B-12 Test?
What is a vitamin B-12 deficiency?
When does your doctor order a vitamin B-12 test?
High serum folate levels
Who needs to take a vitamin B-12 test?
Side effects and risks of a B-12 test
Types of B-12 tests and how they’re performed
Preparing for a blood test
Preparing for the home tests
Interpreting B-12 test results
Vitamin B-12 results
How to manage your B-12 levels
What to eat to prevent vitamin B-12 deficiency
How much vitamin B-12 do you need?

Content: But a blood draw is low risk and generally painless. It’s also possible to feel a little sore or observe bruising on your arm for a few days after. Alert your healthcare provider if the pain is throbbing or if your arm swells after the test. Talk to your doctor before the test if you have a bleeding disorder, such as hemophilia, or if you’ve had problems with blood clotting in the past. It’s possible to experience excessive bleeding where the needle punctures your skin. It’s also important to tell your doctor about any medications or over-the-counter drugs you’re taking, as certain drugs may interfere with the test results. Types of B-12 tests and how they’re performed
Preparing for a blood test
Your healthcare provider will tell you not to eat or drink for about six to eight hours before your test. You’ll want to make sure you’re well hydrated on the days before the test. During the test, your healthcare provider will clean a small area of your arm or elbow with an antiseptic wipe or alcohol pad. They might wrap an elastic band around the top of your arm to increase the flow of blood.