Vitamine — Vitamin Panel

Vitamin status panel measuring folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin D (25-OH). At €57.12, covers the three vitamins most commonly deficient in Central European populations. Particularly relevant for vegetarians, older adults, and anyone at northern latitudes.

This panel targets the three vitamin deficiencies with the highest clinical impact in Central European populations. Vitamin D deficiency affects an estimated 60–80% of German adults during winter months due to latitude-limited UV-B synthesis. At Dresden's latitude (51°N), effective skin synthesis occurs only from April through September, and even then is dependent on direct sun exposure of sufficient skin area. Vitamin B12 deficiency causes neurological symptoms that can precede haematological changes (macrocytic anaemia) by years — peripheral neuropathy, cognitive decline, depression, and balance impairment. Risk groups include vegans and vegetarians (B12 is found exclusively in animal products), older adults (declining gastric acid impairs absorption), and users of metformin, proton pump inhibitors, or H2 blockers. Folate (vitamin B9) is essential for DNA synthesis, red blood cell formation, and neural tube development in pregnancy. Deficiency causes macrocytic anaemia indistinguishable from B12 deficiency on blood count alone, making it important to test both together. Elevated homocysteine (an independent cardiovascular risk factor) is a functional consequence of both B12 and folate deficiency. This panel is particularly cost-effective because it captures the three vitamins that drive the majority of clinical presentations seen in primary care: fatigue, cognitive complaints, and musculoskeletal pain. Individual test prices at Diagnosticum: folate (included), B12 (included), vitamin D 25-OH €27.98.