Vitamin B12 and folate levels in normal population of Northern Pakistan

ABSTRACT

Diagnosis of Vitamin B12 or Folate deficiency can not be made unless reference ranges of these vitamins in a given population are known. These serum levels depend upon the dietary intake of these vitamins which in turn depends upon availability of foods containing these vitamins and the methods of cooking/processing. The latter vary in different population. Therefore serum levels of these vitamins would vary in different populations. Serum levels of vitamin B12 and Folate were estimated by radio immuno assay technique in 30 normal subjects of different age groups. The levels of vitamn B12 were found to be 215.2 +/- 10.16 pg/ml and that of folate 3.9 +/- 0.27 ng/ml. These values are much lower than those described for European population. It is therefore concluded that the cut off point of the levels of these vitamins should be different than the European figures