Schilling Test

Vitamin B12 Absorption Test

What Affects the Test

Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:

• Not collecting exactly 24 hours of urine.
• Having kidney problems. You may be asked to collect urine for a longer period of time, such as 48 to 72 hours.
• Having a radioactive scan or radiation therapy in the past 10 days of the Schilling test.
• Taking medicines, such as colchicine, neomycin (Mycitracin), and phenytoin (Dilantin).
• Collecting stool (feces) with the urine sample.
• Using laxatives before the test.
• Having a problem with the absorption of vitamin B12. This may occur because the vitamin B12 used in the test is different than vitamin B12 found in foods. Older adults, people with gastritis, or people who do not have normal levels of hydrochloric acid in their stomach fluids may not absorb vitamin B12 normally.

Go to previous section	Go to top of page	Go to next section
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: February 8, 2007
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Brian Leber, MDCM, FRCPC - Hematology
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.