Vitamin B12

Test Code

B12

Alias/See Also

B12, Cobalamin, Methylcobalamin, Vit B12

CPT Codes
82607

Preferred Specimen

GOLD (SST)

Other Acceptable Specimens

Light GREEN (PST)
Serum (Red) or Gold (SST) or Orange (OJ) or Tiger Top Serum

Instructions

For serum, collect blood samples in SST/Gold or Red top collection tubes. Allow tubes to clot adequately before centrifugation.
For plasma, collect blood samples in PST/Green top collection tubes. Allow tubes to mix thoroughly before centrifugation. Keep tubes stoppered and upright at all times.
For samples collected in Red top collection tubes, serum must be separated from the red blood cells within 2 hours post-centrifugation.

Specimen Stability

Samples may be assayed if they are stored at room temperature for up to 8 hours.
If samples cannot be assayed within 8 hours, refrigerate samples at 2-8ºC.
If the assay cannot be completed within 24 hours, or for the shipment of samples, freeze at -20ºC or colder.
Samples can only be thawed once. Ensure residual fibrin and cellular matter has been removed prior to analysis. Avoid assaying hemolyzed samples.

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

Hemolysis

Methodology
BECKMAN ACCESS/DXI

Setup Schedule

24X7

Report Available

< 1 day

Reference Range

Deficient: 32-246 pg/mL
Normal: 211-911 pg/mL

Clinical Significance

To help diagnose one cause of anemia or neuropathy; to evaluate nutritional status in some people; to monitor the effectiveness of treatment for vitamin B12 or folate deficiency

Performing Laboratory
CRMC Laboratory

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.