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Vitamin B12 Binding Capacity

Test Codes

ARUP #70260, EPIC: LAB6349, SOFT: XVB12

Department

Send Outs

Instructions

• The patient should fast for 12-15 hours prior to specimen collection.
• The patient should refrain from taking Vitamin B12 supplements for 72 hours prior to specimen collection.

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect (preferred specimen): One Gold-top SST tube.
Also acceptable: One plain Red-top tube.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then immediately centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Transfer serum to a plastic transport tube and refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F).

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 1.0 mL serum, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 0.1 mL)

Rejection Criteria

Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.

In-Lab Processing

Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then immediately centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Transfer serum to a plastic transport tube and refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F).

Transport: 1.0 mL serum, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 0.1 mL)

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 6 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 1 month

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Specimen retention time is determined by the policy of the reference laboratory. Contact the Send Outs Laboratory with any questions.

Laboratory

Sent to ARUP Laboratories, Salt Lake City, UT.

Performed

Monday, Thursday.
Results available within 2-6 days.

Reference Range

800-2600 pg/mL.

Test Methodology

Quantitative Radioimmunoassay (RIA).

Interpretation

• This assay measures the unsaturated binding capacity of serum for Vitamin B₁₂.
• Elevated B₁₂B occurs in various myeloproliferative disorders, especially chronic myelocytic leukemia and polycythemia vera, or any condition where the peripheral granulocyte pool is increased.
• Elevated B₁₂B levels have also been reported in some hepatomas, where an unusual tumor-related R binder may occur.
• Altered levels of B₁₂B have been reported in liver disease and increased B₁₂B has been associated with Gaucher's disease.
• A rare congenital lack of transcobalamin II, which results in a severe megaloblastic anemia, results in low B₁₂B levels.
• The performance characteristics of this test were validated by ARUP Laboratories, Inc. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved this test. The results are not intended to be used as the sole means for clinical diagnosis or patient management decisions. ARUP is authorized under Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) and by all states to perform high-complexity testing.

Clinical Utility

The determination of serum unsaturated B₁₂ binding capacity (B₁₂B) may be of use in the investigation of various myeloproliferative disorders, especially chronic myelocytic leukemia and polycythemia vera, or any condition where the peripheral granulocyte pool is increased, some hepatomas, Gaucher's disease and in cases of severe megaloblastic anemia resulting from a congenital lack of transcobalamin II.

CPT Codes

82608
LOINC:  2171-7

Contacts

Last Updated

7/15/2021