Ordering Recommendation

Use to evaluate vitamin B12 deficiency in individuals with macrocytic or unexplained anemia, or unexplained neurologic disease. Preferred test is Vitamin B12 with Reflex to Methylmalonic Acid, Serum (Vitamin B12 Status) (0055662).

New York DOH Approval Status

This test is New York state approved.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation
Collect

Plain red or serum separator tube. Also acceptable: Green (sodium heparin), green (lithium heparin), lavender (EDTA), or pink (K2EDTA).

Specimen Preparation

Centrifuge and remove serum or plasma from cells within 2 hours of collection. Transfer 1.2 mL serum or plasma to an ARUP Standard Transport Tube and refrigerate or freeze immediately. (Min: 0.6 mL)

Storage/Transport Temperature

Frozen.

Unacceptable Conditions

Room temperature specimens. Grossly hemolyzed or lipemic specimens.

Remarks
Stability

After separation from cells: Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated: 1 week; Frozen: 1 month

Methodology

Quantitative Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Performed

Sun-Sat

Reported

1-5 days

Reference Interval

0.00-0.40 µmol/L

Interpretive Data

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by ARUP Laboratories. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. This test was performed in a CLIA certified laboratory and is intended for clinical purposes.

Compliance Category

Laboratory Developed Test (LDT)

Note

Hotline History

N/A

CPT Codes

83921

Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
0099431 MMA Serum/Plasma, Vitamin B12 Status 13964-2
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.

Aliases

  • Cobalamin Deficiency (Methylmalonic Acid, Serum or Plasma (Vitamin B12 Deficiency))
  • Methylmalonate (Methylmalonic Acid, Serum or Plasma (Vitamin B12 Deficiency))
  • MMA (Methylmalonic Acid, Serum or Plasma (Vitamin B12 Deficiency))
  • Vitamin B12 Deficiency (Methylmalonic Acid, Serum or Plasma (Vitamin B12 Deficiency))
Methylmalonic Acid, Serum or Plasma (Vitamin B12 Status)