Buy a folate test and check your B vitamins

B vitamins often do their work in the background, but you can notice it when something falls out of balance. This panel looks at folate, vitamin B12, vitamin B1 and vitamin B6: four vitamins that each have their own job.

Complaints like fatigue, tingling or trouble concentrating can sometimes be linked to a low level of one of these vitamins. A folate test can give you a bit more to hold on to, though it remains one piece of a larger story.

This test can be interesting if you are curious about your B vitamins, for example because your energy has been low. Do you eat mostly plant-based, vegetarian or vegan? Then it can be helpful to know your values, since vitamin B12 is naturally found mainly in animal products.

If you are thinking about trying to conceive, or simply want to know where your folate stands, this panel can give you a clear picture. A B vitamin test is sometimes done with ongoing tiredness, but the reason to measure is ultimately up to you.

This panel measures four B vitamins in your blood:

• Folate (Folic Acid): a B vitamin involved in blood production and cell division, often discussed around trying to conceive.
• Vitamin B12: plays a role in energy metabolism, your nervous system and the production of red blood cells.
• Vitamin B1 (Thiamine): helps your body turn carbohydrates into energy.
• Vitamin B6: involved in protein metabolism and the production of certain substances in your nervous system.

This way you get insight into four B vitamins at once, including a vitamin B6 and a vitamin B1 reading alongside folate and B12.

The result shows, per vitamin, where your value sits compared with a reference range. A low value can point to a deficiency, while a value within the range may suggest you are getting enough of that vitamin.

A folate reading can, for example, show whether your folate is on the low side, something that is sometimes linked to your diet. What the values mean exactly for you depends on your situation and is best discussed with a doctor.

This panel requires a small blood draw at a certified lab. In the Netherlands you can choose from more than 750 sample locations across the country.

After ordering, you pick a location near you and schedule a moment that suits you. The draw itself usually takes only a few minutes, and you do not need a referral from your GP.

A B vitamins panel can be valuable at different moments, for example:

• when you often feel tired or low on energy and want to know whether your B vitamins might be involved
• when you eat mostly plant-based and are curious about your vitamin B12 and folate
• when you are thinking about trying to conceive and want a look at your folate
• when you have tingling or trouble concentrating and are looking for more clarity

The choice to measure is personal, and there is no fixed moment that applies to everyone.

Your result shows your value for each B vitamin, together with a reference range and a short explanation. What counts as usual can vary a little from one laboratory to another.

A value below the range can fit with a deficiency, for instance of B12 or folate. A value within the range suggests you seem to be getting enough at that moment. The doctor helps you place these values in the right context.

For most B vitamins you do not need to fast. Do you take supplements with B vitamins, such as folic acid or B12? Then it is helpful to mention this at your appointment, since it can affect your values. Otherwise no special preparation is needed, and you can schedule the appointment whenever it suits you.

Your result is usually available online within a few working days. Each value is shown clearly with a reference range and an explanation, so you understand what you see.

Every blood test result includes a professional assessment from a BIG-registered doctor. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.