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Evidence to Improve Care

Serum Vitamin B12 Testing


Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee Recommendation

  • The Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee recommends that vitamin B12 be removed from the Ontario laboratory requisition form.

Read the full OHTAC Recommendation report



Vitamin B12 is most commonly found in dairy and meat products. Low levels of vitamin B12 in the blood can lead to disorders of the blood or nervous system, or to mental health problems. It is not known how many people in the general population have low levels of vitamin B12, but it is more common among long-term vegans, and among the elderly.


Health Quality Ontario Reviews Serum Vitamin B12 Testing

Health Quality Ontario reviewed the evidence to find out who should be tested for low vitamin B12 levels, and how often they should be tested.


Serum Vitamin B12 Testing: A Rapid Review (PDF)
December 2012


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The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has accepted this recommendation.

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has provided the following response: The Ministry removed the vitamin B12 test from the Ontario laboratory requisition form in November 2012.



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