Thursday, February, 09, 2012

Schilling test

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Vitamin B12 absorption test


Normal Values

Urinating 8 - 40% of the radioactive vitamin B12 within 24 hours is normal.

Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.


What abnormal results mean

Low vitamin B12 levels can cause megoblastic anemia.

If there is a problem with the stomach's ability to make intrinsic factor, Stage I of the test will be abnormal and Stage II will be normal.

Both the Stage I and II Schilling tests will be abnormal in people who have problems absorbing vitamin B12 and intrinsic factor in the small intestine.

Abnormal results may be due:

  • Biliary disease
  • Celiac disease (sprue)
  • Crohn's disease
  • Liver disease
  • Pancreatic disease


Review Date: 03/21/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; James R. Mason, MD, Oncologist, Director, Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program and Stem Cell Processing Lab, Scripps Clinic, Torrey Pines, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)