What is the Vitamin B Profile test?

The Vitamin B Profile is a comprehensive blood test that measures several essential B vitamins involved in energy metabolism, nervous system function, and red blood cell production. Rather than testing one vitamin in isolation, this profile provides a broader overview of your B vitamin status.

B vitamins work together in many metabolic pathways, meaning deficiency in one can affect the function of others. A profile test is therefore more clinically useful when symptoms are non-specific or when multiple deficiencies are suspected.

This test is commonly used in the assessment of fatigue, neurological symptoms, anaemia, digestive disorders, restrictive diets, and long-term medication use.

Why do I need a Vitamin B Profile test?

Vitamin B deficiencies are common and often underdiagnosed, as symptoms can overlap with stress, ageing, or other medical conditions. Testing a full profile helps identify underlying nutritional issues that may otherwise be missed.

This test is particularly useful for people with absorption problems, restrictive diets (such as vegan or vegetarian diets), chronic illness, or persistent symptoms without a clear cause. Early identification allows targeted treatment rather than blind supplementation.

You may benefit from a Vitamin B Profile test if you experience:

• Persistent fatigue or low energy
• Brain fog, memory issues, or poor concentration
• Tingling, numbness, or nerve pain
• Low mood or irritability
• Anaemia or abnormal blood counts
• Digestive disorders or malabsorption
• Long-term medication use (e.g. metformin, PPIs)

Benefits of the Vitamin B Profile test

1. Provides a comprehensive assessment
   Measures multiple B vitamins rather than a single marker.
2. Identifies hidden deficiencies
   Detects combined or overlapping deficiencies.
3. Supports energy and fatigue investigations
   B vitamins are essential for cellular energy production.
4. Assesses neurological and cognitive health
   Relevant for nerve symptoms and brain function.
5. Supports anaemia evaluation
   Helps identify nutritional causes of abnormal blood counts.
6. Guides personalised supplementation
   Avoids unnecessary or excessive supplementation.
7. Useful for dietary risk groups
   Ideal for vegans, vegetarians, and restrictive diets.
8. Improves diagnostic accuracy
   Reduces guesswork by providing a wider biochemical picture.

Step-by-step – How we offer this test

Option 1: Clinic-based blood test (UK-wide)

• Choose your nearest UK clinic
• Attend your appointment
• A clinician draws a blood sample
• Results are processed and reported

Option 2: Home or hotel visit (+£60, UK-wide)

• A qualified phlebotomist visits your location
• Blood sample taken in your home or hotel
• No travel or waiting required
• Results handled identically to clinic testing

Your results explained

Low Vitamin B levels

Low levels in one or more B vitamins indicate deficiency, which may impair energy metabolism, nerve function, and blood cell production.

Typical UK reference ranges (low – varies by marker):

• Below laboratory-specific lower limits

Low levels are commonly associated with fatigue, neurological symptoms, mood changes, and anaemia.

Normal Vitamin B levels

Normal results indicate adequate availability of B vitamins required for metabolic and neurological function.

Typical UK reference ranges (normal):

• Within laboratory reference intervals

Symptoms within this range are unlikely to be caused by B vitamin deficiency.

High Vitamin B levels

High levels are usually due to supplementation. Most B vitamins are water-soluble and excess is excreted in urine, though persistently high levels may require review.

Typical UK reference ranges (high):

• Above laboratory-specific upper limits

High levels are rarely harmful but should be interpreted in context.