Schilling Test

Vitamin B12 Absorption Test

How To Prepare

Do not eat or drink (except water) for 10 to 12 hours before this test. Do not take any supplements containing vitamin B12 for at least three days before having the Schilling test. Also, do not use laxatives for 24 hours before the test.

Talk to your health professional about any concerns you have regarding the need for the test, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results will mean. To help you understand the importance of this test, fill out the medical test information formClick here to view a form.(What is a PDF document?).


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Author: Jan Nissl, RN, BSLast Updated: February 8, 2007
Medical Review: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Brian Leber, MDCM, FRCPC - Hematology

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Topic Contents
 Test Overview
 Why It Is Done
Arrow PointerHow To Prepare
 How It Is Done
 How It Feels
 Risks
 Results
 What Affects the Test
 What To Think About
 References
 Credits