Vitamin B Profile blood test in Chiswick

What the test measures

B vitamins help the body turn food into energy, make red blood cells and keep the nervous system working well. This profile looks at five related measurements. Vitamin B12 and active B12, also called holotranscobalamin, together show how much B12 is available to your cells. Folate, measured as folic acid, works closely with B12 in making red blood cells and DNA.

Vitamin B1, or thiamine, is needed for energy production in nerves and muscle, and low levels are more common with high alcohol intake, poor diet or absorption problems. Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, supports protein metabolism and nerve function. Both low and very high B6 can affect the nerves.

The price includes your sample taken at our Chiswick clinic, analysis at the Randox accredited laboratory, a review of your result with an Omnia practitioner, and a GP feedback report on request.

Who it is for

• You have pins and needles, numbness or tingling in your hands or feet.
• You feel tired, low or foggy and want to look beyond iron and thyroid.
• You follow a vegan or vegetarian diet, or have reduced your food intake.
• You take metformin or long-term stomach acid medicines, which can lower B12.
• You take B vitamin supplements and want to check your levels are not too high.

Understanding your result

You will see each result alongside the laboratory reference range in your report. Low B12 or folate can cause a type of anaemia with large red cells, as well as fatigue, mood changes and nerve symptoms. Active B12 can help clarify a borderline total B12 result. Low B1 is linked with nerve and heart symptoms in more serious cases, while both low and high B6 can contribute to nerve symptoms.

Please read a flagged result as a reason to talk, not as a diagnosis. Nerve symptoms have many causes, so your practitioner will consider your results alongside your history and may suggest seeing your GP.

Preparing for your test

Fasting is not required for B12 and folate. Recent meals can affect B1 and B6, so a morning appointment before breakfast is preferable, and we confirm whether a full fast is needed when you book. Stop B vitamin supplements, including multivitamins and energy drinks with added B vitamins, for at least 24 to 48 hours unless your doctor advises otherwise. Tell us about B12 injections and high-dose biotin, which can interfere with some immunoassays.

If B12 is your main concern, our vitamin B12 blood test is a simpler option, and Tired All The Time combines B vitamins with iron, thyroid and blood count. To see what else is available, visit our list of every blood test and price in Chiswick.

Questions

How much is a Vitamin B Profile in Chiswick?

The Vitamin B Profile costs £329 at our Chiswick clinic. This includes your blood sample, analysis of all five markers at the Randox accredited laboratory, a practitioner review and a GP feedback report on request.

What is the difference between B12 and active B12?

Total B12 measures all the B12 in your blood, much of which is bound to a carrier your cells cannot use. Active B12 measures the portion available to cells, which can help with borderline results.

Can too much vitamin B6 be harmful?

Yes. Long-term high doses of B6 from supplements can cause nerve symptoms such as tingling. Measuring B6 helps you and your practitioner check whether supplements are appropriate.

Do I need to fast?

A morning sample before breakfast is preferable for the B1 and B6 measurements. Water is fine, and we confirm preparation when you book.