B-12 blue horizons

[CBann]

Hi, sorry me again. The B-12 on blue horizon thyroid panels states "B-12 (not active)" does this mean it's not the right test if you want to get an indication of your levels.. or what does it mean?

Thanks again

CBann

[startagaingirl]

Hi - what it means is it is measuring the total amount in your blood. That is usually a good enough measure if you haven't been supplementing B12. If you have already been supplementing then the only really meaningful test is active b-12. That one is normally a separate test, not included in the bundled thyroid tests.

[CBann in reply to startagaingirl]

Ok thank you.

[Gambit62 in reply to startagaingirl]

startagaingirl - just curious as to why you think that active b12 is the the only really meaningful test if you have been supplementing.

active B12 measures the amount of B12 in your blood that is bound to a protein that allows it to pass through into cells as opposed to proteins that allow it to be stored in the liver. In general the ratio of the two is around 80% though in some people this can be out of balance - which is the advantage that active B12 has over serum B12 - this would be true whether or not you have been supplementing B12.