HTA Details
Vitamin B12 and Cognitive Function
- Publication date
-
2013-October-01
- Status
- Final
- Topic Area
- Neurological
- Recommendation
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Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee Recommendations:
- The Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee recommends that serum vitamin B12 testing be restricted to those with macrocytic anemia or malabsorption.
- The Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee recommends against serum vitamin B12 testing for the purpose of investigating dementia or cognitive impairment and for vague presentations such as alopecia, dizziness, and fatigue.
- The Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee recommends oral vitamin B12 be used instead of intramuscular vitamin B12 unless there is evidence of malabsorption.
- Ministry Response
-
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care endorses this recommendation.
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To read the full OHTAC Recommendation Report for this topic, contact our Health Innovation team using the contact form to request a digital copy.
Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin. Low levels of vitamin B12 can lead to a type of anemia (low levels of red blood cells) and to problems with the nervous system, such as cognitive impairment (trouble reasoning or thinking). There are four main reasons why people have low levels of vitamin B12:
- They do not get enough in their diet
- Their body doesn’t absorb it properly (malabsorption)
- They have intestinal problems such as Crohn’s disease
- They take certain drugs, such as metformin.
Ontario Health looked at whether low vitamin B12 led to cognitive impairment, and whether vitamin B12 supplements improved cognitive impairment. It also looked at the best way of delivering vitamin B12: by mouth (oral) or by injection (intramuscular).
Last Updated: February 24, 2026
