Vitamin B12 Blood Test

This test measures the level of Vitamin B12 in the blood.  B12 is an essential vitamin which is necessary for the formation of healthy red blood cells and proper nerve function.  B12 is not produced by the body and must be taken in through a person’s diet.  Good sources of Vitamin B12 include red meat, fish, poultry, milk, yogurt and eggs.  A deficiency in B12 can cause a condition known as Macrocytic Anemia in which red blood cells are larger than normal.  Common causes for Vitamin B12 deficiency are malnutrition, liver disease, alcoholism and malabsorption disorders such as Celiac Disease, Cystic Fibrosis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

A Vitamin B12 test is typically ordered when a person is experiencing common symptoms of deficiency such as diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, pale skin, loss of appetite, rapid heart beat, shortness of breath, tingling or numbness in the extremities. and a sore mouth or tongue.  It may also be done to monitor people being treated for deficiency or malabsorption.

B12 is often ordered as a follow up to a Complete Blood Count (CBC) which shows abnormal results for Red Blood Cells (RBC) and Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV).  Vitamin B12 is often tested with Folate.  Customers who require both may order the Vitamin B12 and Folate Test.

Turnaround time for the Vitamin B12 test is typically 1 business day.

Lab LC Test Code: 001503

Vitamin K1 Blood Test

This test measures levels of Vitamin K in the blood.  Vitamin K is a nutrient which is essential for the formation of clotting factors which help the blood clot properly.  Deficiency in Vitamin K can lead to excessive bleeding and easy bruising.  Vitamin K has also been shown to promote healthy bone density.  This test measures K1, also known as Phylloquinone or Phytonadione, the natural form of Vitamin K found in green leafy vegetables, dairy products and vegetable oils.

Vitamin K1 deficiency is rarely caused by malnutrition but may be caused by malabsorption disorders such as celiac disease, Crohn’s disease or cystic fibrosis.

People taking the drug Warfarin (Coumadin) should be cautious of the amount of Vitamin K they get in their diet.  Warfarin is an anticoagulant used to thin the blood.  Too much Vitamin K can counteract the effects of Warfarin therapy.  It is typically recommended that a person taking Warfarin consume a consistent amount of Vitamin K each day to avoid interfering with the effect of their prescribed Warfarin dosage.  Warfarin (Coumadin) dosage is typically monitored with a Prothrombin Time (PT INR) test.

Turnaround time for the Vitamin K1 test is typically 3-4 business days.

BNP Blood Test

This test measures the amount of Brain Natriuretic Peptide or BNP in the blood.  BNP is produced by the heart.  Elevated levels of BNP often indicate the heart is working harder than normal such as when a person is suffering from heart failure.

This test can be ordered when someone is experiencing symptoms such as difficulty breathing or swelling in the arms and legs which may be due to heart failure.  It may also be used to monitor how well a person is responding to treatment for heart failure.  Because BNP levels tend to increase with age, a person’s doctor may need to determine what a normal BNP value for them should be.

This test is often ordered along with an NT-Pro BNP test.  Please see our Heart Health category for additional tests to screen for heart disease.

Turnaround time for the BNP test is typically 2-3 business days.

Magnesium Blood Test

This test measures the level of Magnesium in the blood.  Magnesium is a mineral that is important for strong bones and muscles, heart health, energy production, and nerve function.  Magnesium levels are typically checked to evaluate kidney function, aid in the diagnosis of certain gastrointestinal disorders, or determine the severity of uncontrolled diabetes.  Magnesium deficiency can be associated with malnutrition, malabsorption, chronic diarrhea, and alcoholism.

This test is typically ordered when someone is experiencing symptoms associated with Magnesium deficiency such as weakness or cramping in the muscles, confusion, seizures, or cardiac arrhythmias.  Magnesium levels are typically checked when someone has a disorder which affects the kidneys.  It may also be ordered to monitor people who are taking Magnesium supplements.

A  RBC test is also available which measures intracellular Magnesium levels.  This type of test may detect deficiency sooner than a Magnesium blood test.

Turnaround for the Magnesium test is typically 1-3 business days.

Lab LC Test Code: 001537

Sodium Blood Test

This test measures Sodium levels in the blood.  Sodium is an electrolyte which is important for healthy body function.  Most sodium comes from the food a person eats.  Irregular sodium levels can be caused by a number of conditions including those affecting the brain, lungs, kidneys, liver, heart, thyroid and adrenal glands.

A sodium test is often done as part of routine general health blood work.  It is usually tested with other Electrolytes or as part of a chemistry panel.  It may also be ordered when someone has symptoms of high or low sodium such as weakness, confusion, lethargy, unusual thirst, infrequent urination, dry mouth or eyes and muscle spasms.

A Sodium test is also included in a Basic Metabolic Panel, a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel, an Electrolyte Panel and a Renal Function Panel.

Turnaround time for the Sodium test is typically 1 business day.

Lab QD Test Code: 836