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===Diagnosis===
According to one review: "At present, no 'gold standard' test exists for the diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency and as a consequence the diagnosis requires consideration of both the clinical state of the patient and the results of investigations." The vitamin deficiency is typically suspected when a routine complete blood count shows anemia with an elevated [[mean corpuscular volume]] (MCV). In addition, on the [[peripheral blood smear]], [[macrocyte]]s and hypersegmented [[polymorphonuclear leukocyte]]s may be seen. Diagnosis is supported based on vitamin B12 blood levels below 150–180 [[Molar concentration#Units|pmol/L]] (200–250 [[Orders of magnitude (mass)#Picogram|pg/mL]]) in adults. However, serum values can be maintained while tissue B12 stores are becoming depleted. Therefore, serum B12 values above the cut-off point of deficiency do not necessarily confirm adequate B12 status. For this reason, elevated serum [[homocysteine]] over 15 micromol/L and [[methylmalonic acid]] (MMA) over 0.271 micromol/L are considered better indicators of B12 deficiency, rather than relying only on the concentration of B12 in blood. However, elevated MMA is not conclusive, as it is seen in people with B12 deficiency, but also in elderly people who have renal insufficiency, and elevated homocysteine is not conclusive, as it is also seen in people with folate deficiency. In addition, elevated methylmalonic acid levels may also be related to metabolic disorders such as [[methylmalonic acidemia]]. If nervous system damage is present and blood testing is inconclusive, a [[lumbar puncture]] may be carried out to measure [[cerebrospinal fluid]] B12 levels.

Translations:Vitamin B12/27/en - Revision history

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