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Vitamin B2 - Deficiency Test

The serum vitamin B2 test evaluates serum levels of vitamin B2 (riboflavin), a vitamin essential for growth and tissue function. The serum test is considered more reliable than the urine vitamin B2 test, which can produce artificially high values in patients after surgery or prolonged fasting.

Purpose

• To detect vitamin B2 deficiency

Patient preparation

• Explain to the patient that this test evaluates vitamin B2 levels.
• Instruct him to maintain a normal diet before the test.
• Inform him that the test requires a blood sample. Tell him who will perform the venipuncture and when.
• Reassure him that although he may experience some discomfort from the needle puncture and the pressure of the tourniquet, collecting the sample takes only a few minutes.

Procedure and posttest care

• Perform a venipuncture, and collect the sample in a 7-ml royal-blue-top tube.
• If a hematoma develops at the venipuncture site, apply warm soaks.
• Inform the patient with vitamin B2 deficiency that good dietary sources of vitamin B2 are milk products, organ meats (liver and kidneys), fish, green leafy vegetables, and legumes.

Precautions

• Handle the sample gently to prevent hemolysis.
• Send the sample to the laboratory immediately.
• Don't refrigerate or freeze the sample.

Reference values

Normal test results are 3 to 15 ug/dl; 2 to 3 ug/dl is considered marginally low, and less than 2 ug/dl is considered significantly diminished.

Abnormal findings

Marginally low test results « 3 ug/dl) indicate vitamin B2 deficiency. Such deficiency can result from insufficient dietary intake of vitamin B2, malabsorption syndrome, or conditions that increase metabolic demands such as stress.

Interfering factor

• Hemolysis due to rough handling of the sample