B12

[flo-jo100]

Hi everyone just a quick question. I know you have to stop vitamin b a week before blood draw, what about b12?

[Marz]

Once supplementing B12 - results will be skewed. You would need to stop for many months . What was your level before supplementing ?

[flo-jo100 in reply to Marz]

I think it was around 520 I haven’t been supplementing with b12 just a b complex. My vitamin levels are being tested on next blood draw so I’ll wait till I get results

[Marz in reply to flo-jo100]

The B12 result will be skewed due to B12 in a Complex ...

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

flo-jo100

It's the Biotin (B7) that is contained in a B Complex that has to be avoided for 7 days before any blood test as it can cause false results. Nothing to do with B12.

[flo-jo100 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Oh I see thank you. So I can take b12

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to flo-jo100]

You said in your reply to Marz that you don't take B12, just a B Complex ???

With regard to supplements, the following generally applies when doing blood tests:

If doing iron tests - no iron supplements and don't eat high iron foods (eg liver, liver pate) in the week before the blood draw.

B12 - if you want a baseline result to see what you are holding on to then stop B12 supplement for 4-5 months before testing. If you continue to take B12 the result will reflect the dose you are taking so you can judge whether you are taking an appropriate amount.

Vit D - continue to take it but after the test on the day. Again it will reflect whether the dose is appropriate and show whether you need to adjust dose.

Any other supplements you can continue but don't take them on the day before the blood draw, take them afterwards.

[flo-jo100]

Ok thank you