Vitamin B12 Test – Holo TC
Vitamin B12 Test – Holo TC
Couldn't load pickup availability
Do you live vegan or vegetarian? Check your vitamin B12 levels easily from home with DoctorBox!
The Vitamin B12 at-home test offers a simple look at your nervous system and energy production. With a small finger prick, you’ll find out if your vitamin B12 level is optimal. The test measures active vitamin B12—holotranscobalamin (holo-TC).
Who is this test suitable for?
Especially for vegans and vegetarians, since vitamin B12 is found in animal products. The at-home test is crucial for detecting deficiencies early and taking action.
How is vitamin B12 measured?
Our test measures the active form of vitamin B12 (Holo-TC). Holo-TC is measured to assess your body’s vitamin B12 status more accurately. It’s the biologically active form of vitamin B12, bound to proteins and directly absorbed by your cells.
The main reason for measuring holo-TC instead of total vitamin B12 is to more accurately diagnose a vitamin B12 deficiency. This way, a deficiency can be detected even in its early stages.
How does sample collection work?
Using the included blood collection kit, you take a small blood sample yourself and send it to our partner lab in the prepaid shipping bag. The DoctorBox App guides you through the process.
Benefits of the Vitamin B12 Sampling Kit:
- Discreet shipping: Convenient and private, can be done at home.
- Fast results: Results within 72 hours*.
- Easy to use: uncomplicated and painless.
- Time savings and flexibility: Can be done regardless of doctor’s office hours.
- Certified data security: Results are transmitted securely and stored in your health account.
- Additional information: DoctorBox app provides easy-to-understand explanations.
- Promoting Health Awareness: Take responsibility for your well-being.
Discover an easy way to monitor your vitamin B12 levels and boost your well-being with our at-home Vitamin B12 test.
*Note: Results available 72 hours after your sample arrives at the lab.
The most common symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency are:
- Lack of energy and persistent weakness: Lack of feeling of freshness and energy that persists even after adequate sleep. A constant feeling of exhaustion and weakness.
- Pale skin or mucous membranes: A pale skin color or paler lips and gums can indicate a deficiency.
- Numbness and tingling: A tingling or numb feeling in the hands, feet, or other parts of the body that seems unexplained.
- Dizziness or balance problems: Moments when you feel dizzy or have difficulty maintaining your balance.
- Shortness of breath or breathing problems: Difficulty breathing or the feeling that not enough air is getting into the lungs.
- Digestive problems: Persistent gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea, constipation, or a bloated feeling after eating.
- Loss of appetite and unintentional weight loss: A sudden loss of appetite or weight loss for no apparent reason.
- Concentration problems and memory lapses: Difficulty concentrating and being forgetful, especially when it comes to routine tasks.
- Mood swings or depression: Sudden mood changes or a persistent feeling of low mood and sadness.
- Tongue sores or mouth ulcers: Inflammation or pain in the oral cavity, especially on the tongue or cheeks.
These descriptions can help customers better recognize and understand symptoms of a potential vitamin B12 deficiency, but it is important to emphasize that if in doubt, they should consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
After your sample has been analyzed in a certified medical lab, you’ll receive your personalized results digitally via the DoctorBox app.
The results are clearly presented, and the additional information is written in a way that’s easy for non-experts to understand.
A vitamin B12 test should be considered by individuals who may be at increased risk for deficiency or who are experiencing signs and symptoms of such deficiency. These include:
Vegetarians and vegans : Since vitamin B12 is found mainly in animal products, people who eat exclusively or mainly plant-based foods are at higher risk of deficiency.
-
Older adults : As you age, your body's ability to absorb vitamin B12 from food may decrease, which may lead to a higher risk of deficiency.
People with certain health conditions : People with gastrointestinal conditions such as celiac disease, Crohn's disease, or pernicious anemia may have difficulty absorbing vitamin B12, which can lead to a deficiency.
People taking certain medications : Long-term use of acid-blocking medications or metformin may interfere with the absorption of vitamin B12 and increase the risk of deficiency.
If someone is showing symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, such as tiredness, weakness, numbness, memory problems or anemia, it is advisable to consult a doctor and, if necessary, take a vitamin B12 test to check the current status of the vitamin levels in the body. The test can help determine if a deficiency exists and if supplementation or changes in diet are necessary. It is important to discuss this with a qualified healthcare professional.
In general, there is no standardized time frame for performing vitamin B12 tests.
For people who are at increased risk for vitamin B12 deficiency or who already have a diagnosed deficiency, the doctor may provide specific recommendations on testing frequency. Some possible scenarios in which more frequent testing may be recommended include:
Vegetarians and vegans who do not consume vitamin B12 from animal sources
People with gastrointestinal diseases or surgical procedures that could affect the absorption of vitamin B12
People taking certain medications that may affect the absorption of vitamin B12
For people without specific risk factors or symptoms of deficiency, a vitamin B12 test could be done at regular intervals as part of a general health check. This could be every few years, for example, but again, the recommendation may vary depending on individual health status.
It is important to check the vitamin B12 levels in the body because vitamin B12 plays a key role in several vital functions in the body. Adequate B12 levels are crucial for:
-
Red blood cell production: Vitamin B12 is important for the formation of healthy red blood cells. A deficiency can lead to a type of anemia known as megaloblastic anemia, which is characterized by enlarged, immature red blood cells that do not function properly.
Neurological function: Adequate B12 levels are also important for the health of the nervous system. A deficiency can lead to neurological problems such as numbness, tingling, balance problems, memory loss and other neurological disorders.
DNA synthesis: Vitamin B12 is involved in DNA synthesis, which is important for producing and maintaining healthy cells.
Energy production: B12 plays a role in energy metabolism by helping to convert food into energy. A deficiency can lead to fatigue and general weakness.
Because the body cannot produce vitamin B12 on its own and it is found primarily in animal foods, people with certain diets (e.g. vegetarians and vegans), certain health conditions (e.g. gastrointestinal problems), or older adults may have difficulty getting adequate amounts of B12.
Checking B12 levels makes it possible to detect a deficiency early and, if necessary, take steps to correct it. This could include taking supplements, adjusting the diet or other therapeutic interventions. Early detection and treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency can help prevent serious health problems and improve overall health and quality of life.
Our sampling kit allows you to take a small amount of blood from your finger using a lancet. This way, you can fill a filter paper card with just a few drops of blood.
You send the filter paper card with a pre-stamped envelope to our partner laboratory, where the sample will be analyzed. You can then view the results digitally in your DoctorBox health account (usually within 2 to 3 days).
The active vitamin B12 level, also known as holotranscobalamin, is measured because it represents the bioavailable and functional form of vitamin B12 in the body. Unlike the total vitamin B12 level, the active vitamin B12 value shows how much can actually be used by the body. This measurement enables a more precise assessment of individual vitamin B12 status and helps target measures to improve supply, especially for people at higher risk of deficiency, such as vegans or vegetarians.
Sample collection process
1. Collect sample at home
Read the enclosed instructions carefully before starting. Collecting the blood sample is straightforward and only takes a few steps.
2. Scan barcode
Simply scan the included barcode in the DoctorBox app – this ensures your sample is uniquely assigned to you.
3. Send samples
Package the blood sample as described in the instructions and, if possible, drop the prepaid envelope in the mail on the same day.
4. Your results in the app
After the lab analysis, you’ll get your result directly in the DoctorBox app – clear, easy to understand, and accessible anytime.
