Vitamin B12

Message

Performing Lab: Central Lab

Test Code

0176

Alias/See Also

Sunquest: B12

CPT Codes
82607

Preferred Specimen

150 uL Lithium Heparin Plasma (light green-top) tube

Minimum Volume

87 uL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Serum Separator (gold-top, red-top) tube

Instructions

Processing:
Centrifuge specimens within 2 hours of collection

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated

Specimen Stability

Room Temperature: 3 days
Refrigerated: < 7 days
Frozen: > 7 days

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Grossly hemolyzed

Methodology
Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay (CMIA)

Setup Schedule

Monday - Friday

Report Available

Same day.

Reference Range

213 - 816 pg/mL

Clinical Significance

Reduced concentrations of vitamin B12 may indicate the presence of vitamin dependent anemia. Elevated concentrations of vitamin B12 have been associated with pregnancy, the use of oral contraceptives and multivitamins and in myeloproliferative diseases, such as chronic granulocytic leukemia and myelomonocytic leukemia. An elevated concentration of vitamin B12 is not known to cause clinical problems. Measurement of vitamin B12 is intended to identify and monitor vitamin B12 deficiency. This can arise from the following; (1) defect in the secretion of Intrinsic Factor, resulting in inadequate absorption from food (pernicious anemia); (2) gastrectomy and malabsorption due to surgical resection; and (3) a variety of bacterial or inflammatory diseases affecting the small intestine.

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.