Vitamin B12: Correlation of Serum Concentrations and Age

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Abstract
Total serum vitamin B12 concentrations were determined in 528 individuals by the Lactobacillus leichmannii method, choice of which is justified. The individuals studied were "normal" in physical health, the major variable being age. There is a trend toward lower serum concentration of vitamin B12 in the aged than in younger age groups. Although this difference is statistically significant, the biological importance of this finding is not apparent. The serum vitamin B12 concentrations show wide individual differences at all age levels, but values below 200 [mu][mu]g/ml and above 1000 [mu][mu]g/ml were uncommon. The average for the entire 528 individuals was 560 [mu][mu]g/ml, the 95% confidence bands being 70 and 1060 [mu][mu]g/ml respectively.