What Causes Abnormal Vitamin B12 Levels?
Abnormal vitamin B12 levels can have various causes, ranging in severity from 'serious' to 'generally fatal'. Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.
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Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms. In order to diagnose abnormal vitamin B12 levels, we could:
- Research the topic
- Find a doctor with the time
- Use a diagnostic computer system.
Step 1: List all Possible Causes
We begin by identifying the disease conditions which have "abnormal vitamin B12 levels" as a symptom. Here are eight of many possibilities (more below):
- Diabetes II
- Breast Cancer
- Stomach Cancer
- Myeloproliferative Neoplasm
- Hepatitis
- CML Leukemia
- Cirrhosis Of The Liver
- Colon Cancer
Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist
We then identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:
history of colon polyps
severe vision disturbances
high alcohol consumption
chronic vomiting
blood transfusions
meal-related pain for over a month
current birth control pill use
type 2 diabetes IDD
major unexplained weight loss
having chronic myeloid leukemia
confirmed heartburn
stomach cancer
history of colon polyps severe vision disturbances high alcohol consumption chronic vomiting blood transfusions meal-related pain for over a month current birth control pill use type 2 diabetes IDD major unexplained weight loss having chronic myeloid leukemia confirmed heartburn stomach cancer... and more than 100 others
Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause
A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of abnormal vitamin B12 levels:
| Cause | Probability | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Colon Cancer | 98% | Confirm |
| Diabetes II | 29% | Unlikely |
| Cirrhosis Of The Liver | 22% | Unlikely |
| Breast Cancer | 3% | Ruled out |
| Myeloproliferative Neoplasm | 3% | Ruled out |
| Stomach Cancer | 3% | Ruled out |
| CML Leukemia | 2% | Ruled out |
| Hepatitis | 1% | Ruled out |
* This is a simple example to illustrate the process
Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis
The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.
If you indicate having had recent lab tests, The Analyst™ will ask further questions including this one:
|
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin). Unit: pg/mL [pmol/L]
Possible responses:
→ Don't know→ Confirmed deficiency in the past → Under 200 [150] (low) → 200-950 [150-700] (normal) → Over 950 [700] (elevated) |
Vitamin B12 Requirement
A urine MMA test is recommended for properly diagnosing B12 deficiency due to the possible lack of sensitivity of serum B12 tests. A normal or high B12 level makes B12 deficiency less likely, but does not rule it out.
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Last updated: Sep 12, 2023