Vitamin B12 Report: Normal Range & How to Read It
Vitamin B12 helps your body make red blood cells and keeps nerves healthy. Your report prints it in pg/mL, sometimes in pmol/L.
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What vitamin B12 does
Red cells
B12 helps the body make healthy red blood cells.
Nerves
B12 keeps nerves working well.
Food sources
Mostly from milk, curd, eggs, fish and meat.
Vitamin B12 normal range
Labs differ a little. Always compare with the range printed on your report.
| Test | Men | Women | Unit | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin B12 | ||||
| Vitamin B12 | 200–900 | pg/mL | Below the range is called low B12. | |
| Read with it | ||||
| Folate (vitamin B9) | 3–20 | ng/mL | Another B vitamin that helps make red cells. | |
| Haemoglobin | Men 13.8–17.2 | Women 12.1–15.1 | g/dL | The oxygen-carrying protein in red cells. |
| MCV | 80–100 | fL | Average red cell size. Low B12 can raise it. | |
| RDW-CV | 11.5–14.5 | % | How much your red cells differ in size. | |
Ranges from the NirogGyan biomarker library. Updated .
What a B12 report looks like
The same results in the usual lab layout, and as a NirogGyan Smart Report.
Numbers and ranges in rows
Each value on our report slider
How to read your B12 report
Check the unit
B12 is printed in pg/mL or pmol/L, and the ranges differ.
Find your result
The Result column shows your B12 value.
Compare with the range
The Range column shows what is normal for that unit.
Look for H or L
A flag marks a value outside the range. Your doctor reads what it means.
Vitamin B12 report questions
What is a normal vitamin B12 level?
Our biomarker library uses 200 to 900 pg/mL. Labs differ a little, so compare with the range on your report.
What does low vitamin B12 mean?
It means your blood has less B12 than the lab's range. Your doctor may check your CBC as well, because low B12 can change red cell size.
Are vegetarians more likely to have low B12?
B12 comes mostly from animal foods such as milk, eggs and meat, so people who eat little of these can run low.
Do I need to fast for a B12 test?
Some labs ask for a few hours of fasting. Follow your lab's instructions.
Can B12 be high?
Yes, often because of supplements or injections. Tell your doctor about any supplements you take.
More report guides
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Upload your reportThis page explains how to read a lab report. It does not replace advice from your doctor. All sample values are made up.