This test measures the amount of one or more B vitamins in your blood or urine. B vitamins are nutrients the body needs so that it can perform a variety of essential functions. These include:
- Maintaining normal metabolism (the process of how your body uses food and energy)
- Making healthy blood cells
- Helping the nervous system work properly
- Reducing risk of heart disease
- Helping to lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and increase good cholesterol (HDL)
There are several types of B vitamins. These vitamins, also known as the B vitamin complex, include the following:
- B1, thiamine
- B2, riboflavin
- B3, niacin
- B5, pantothenic acid
- B6, pyridoxal phosphate
- B7, biotin
- B9, folic acid (or folate) and B12, cobalamin. These two B vitamins are often measured together in a test called vitamin B12 and folate.
Vitamin B deficiencies are rare in the United States, because many everyday foods are fortified with B vitamins. These foods include cereals, breads, and pasta. Also, B vitamins are found naturally in a variety of foods, including leafy green vegetables and whole grains. But if you do have a deficiency in any of the B vitamins, it can cause serious health problems.
Other names: vitamin B testing, vitamin B complex, thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxal phosphate (B6), biotin (B7), vitamin B12 and folate