Use to evaluate vitamin B12 deficiency in individuals with macrocytic or unexplained anemia, or unexplained neurologic disease. Preferred test is Vitamin B12 with Reflex to Methylmalonic Acid, Serum (Vitamin B12 Status) (0055662).
Collect
Plain red or serum separator tube. Also acceptable: Green (sodium heparin), green (lithium heparin), lavender (EDTA), or pink (K2EDTA).
Specimen Preparation
Centrifuge and remove serum or plasma from cells within 2 hours of collection. Transfer 1.2 mL serum or plasma to an ARUP standard transport tube and refrigerate or freeze immediately. (Min: 0.6 mL)
Storage/Transport Temperature
Frozen.
Stability (from collection to initiation)
After separation from cells: Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated: 1 week; Frozen: 1 month
Unacceptable Conditions
Room temperature specimens. Grossly hemolyzed or lipemic specimens.
Use to evaluate vitamin B12 deficiency in individuals with macrocytic or unexplained anemia, or unexplained neurologic disease. Preferred test is Vitamin B12 with Reflex to Methylmalonic Acid, Serum (Vitamin B12 Status) (0055662).
Collect
Plain red or serum separator tube. Also acceptable: Green (sodium heparin), green (lithium heparin), lavender (EDTA), or pink (K2EDTA).
Specimen Preparation
Centrifuge and remove serum or plasma from cells within 2 hours of collection. Transfer 1.2 mL serum or plasma to an ARUP standard transport tube and refrigerate or freeze immediately. (Min: 0.6 mL)
Storage/Transport Temperature
Frozen.
Stability (from collection to initiation)
After separation from cells: Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated: 1 week; Frozen: 1 month
Unacceptable Conditions
Room temperature specimens. Grossly hemolyzed or lipemic specimens.
Laboratories.