B Vitamins
What the test generally measures, and what to ask about it.
Longetic keeps every lab and record you’ve had organized and easy to find, so your own B Vitamins values sit together on one chart and you walk into your next appointment prepared.
What is B Vitamins?
A group of vitamins that help the body get energy from food and form red blood cells.
The B vitamins are B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6, B7 (biotin), B9 (folate), and B12. They help convert food to energy and form red blood cells. A lack of B12 or folate is the most common cause of B-vitamin-related anemia; low B6 can also contribute.
Tests often checked alongside this
How this can show up in how you look and feel
- Fatigue and low energy
- Pale skin
- A swollen or sore tongue
- Tingling in the hands and feet
- Difficulty concentrating
What can affect this marker
- Diet, especially animal products
- Alcohol use
- Gut absorption issues
- Certain medications
What to track over time
- Energy and concentration levels
- Levels across repeat blood tests
- Response to diet or supplements
- Alongside anemia-related markers
What to ask your doctor
- Am I deficient in a specific B vitamin?
- Should I take a supplement?
- Could a medication be depleting these?
- Do I need retesting after treatment?
This glossary entry is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Read our Terms of Use.
References
About our sources
Official sources
Government health agencies, national institutes, and intergovernmental bodies whose guidelines carry regulatory or policy weight.
Clinical / professional
Medical societies, specialty colleges, and professional associations whose consensus statements reflect clinical practice standards.
Peer-reviewed research
Original research articles and systematic reviews published in indexed journals and verified through PubMed or DOI.