{"product_id":"nutripath-active-b12-and-folate-blood-test","title":"Active B12 and folate blood test","description":"\u003ch2 class=\"product-marketing-headline\"\u003eThe B12 test that catches what standard testing misses\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp class=\"product-tagline\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eActive B12 (holotranscobalamin) and active folate (5-MTHF). A more accurate picture of functional B vitamin status than standard total B12 testing.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"product-brand-attribution\"\u003eTest processed by \u003cstrong\u003eNutriPath\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"product-short-description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMeasures active B12 (holotranscobalamin, the fraction your cells can actually use) and active folate (5-methyltetrahydrofolate, the form your cells use directly). More sensitive than standard serum B12 and total folate testing, particularly for anyone with methylation variations or neurological symptoms.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"product-long-description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eStandard serum B12 testing has a known sensitivity problem. The total serum B12 number includes both the active fraction (bound to transcobalamin II, which is the part your cells actually take up) and the inactive fraction (bound to haptocorrin, which is metabolically useless). People can have normal total B12 but low active B12, with consequent fatigue, cognitive symptoms, nerve tingling or anaemia. Active B12 testing, also called holotranscobalamin or HoloTC, measures only the functional fraction and catches deficiency that standard testing misses. Active folate measurement (5-MTHF) adds similar value, particularly in people with MTHFR variants who cannot efficiently convert folic acid into the usable 5-MTHF form. Together these markers are the more accurate modern approach to B vitamin status assessment.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"product-ingredients\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat it measures\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBiomarker\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSample\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eReference Range\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat it tells you\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eActive B12 (Holotranscobalamin)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlood (SST)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbove 50 pmol\/L optimal\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe metabolically active fraction of B12 that your cells can actually take up. Low active B12 with normal total B12 is a commonly missed pattern.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eActive Folate (5-MTHF)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlood (EDTA)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbove 10 nmol\/L optimal\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe biologically active form of folate that your cells use directly. More informative than total folate in anyone with MTHFR variants or methylation concerns.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"product-how-to-take\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to collect and what to expect\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo fasting required. Book at any NutriPath referral centre. If taking B12 supplements or B complex, hold doses for 24 hours before collection for the clearest baseline. Results in 3 to 5 business days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"product-warnings\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWarnings and cautions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a health information test. Do not self treat neurological symptoms based on results. Suspected B12 deficiency with neurological involvement requires GP assessment and usually prompt treatment to prevent permanent nerve damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"product-faqs\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eI was tested for B12 and it came back normal. Why might this test be different?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eStandard B12 tests measure total B12, which includes an inactive fraction that your cells cannot use. Active B12 (holotranscobalamin) measures only the functional fraction. It is possible to have normal total B12 and low active B12, which this test catches.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho should consider this over standard B12 testing?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eAnyone with fatigue, cognitive symptoms, tingling or nerve symptoms with a borderline or low normal standard B12. Vegans and vegetarians. Anyone over 65 (absorption declines with age). Anyone on metformin or long term proton pump inhibitors (both deplete B12). Anyone with known methylation variants.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat about folic acid on food labels?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eFolic acid is the synthetic form added to flour, breakfast cereals and many supplements. Your body must convert it to 5-MTHF to use it, a process that is inefficient in people with MTHFR variants. Active folate testing shows you what you actually have available, not just what you have eaten.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIf I am deficient, what form of B12 supplement should I use?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor most people, methylcobalamin or hydroxocobalamin are preferred over cyanocobalamin. Sublingual forms bypass absorption issues. In documented pernicious anaemia, intramuscular injections remain the standard of care.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"product-clinical-evidence\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eClinical evidence\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/19318471\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eActive B12 (holotranscobalamin) in clinical practice\u003c\/a\u003e: Evidence that active B12 outperforms total B12 in detecting functional deficiency.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/23633203\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003e5-MTHF and MTHFR polymorphism\u003c\/a\u003e: Review of folate metabolism and clinical implications of MTHFR variants.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/23595586\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eB12 deficiency and neurological symptoms\u003c\/a\u003e: Why prompt identification matters for neurological outcomes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"NutriPath","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52591876735250,"sku":"OPTI-NUTRIPATH-ACTIVE-B12-AND-FOLATE-BLOOD-TE","price":169.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0557\/2087\/0083\/files\/nutripath-active-b12-and-folate-blood-test.jpg?v=1786431156","url":"https:\/\/optilabs.com.au\/products\/nutripath-active-b12-and-folate-blood-test","provider":"OptiLabs by Evergreen Doctors","version":"1.0","type":"link"}