Vitamin B2 Riboflavin Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About Vitamin B2 Riboflavin Test: Booking, Price, and Results
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | Riboflavin Test, Vitamin B2 Whole Blood, Vitamin B2 EDTA Plasma, Erythrocyte Glutathione Reductase Activity Test (EGR Activity Test), B2 Test, FAD Test |
| Sample Type | Venous blood (whole blood or plasma), collected in an EDTA or heparin tube |
| Fasting Required | Yes – 10 to 12 hours of fasting required before sample collection |
| Report Time | 3 to 6 working days |
| Recommended For | All ages and genders, especially those with deficiency symptoms, vegans, vegetarians, the elderly, chronic alcohol users, and those with malabsorption disorders |
| Price | Starting at ₹5,000 |
What Is a Vitamin B2 Riboflavin Test?
The Vitamin B2 Riboflavin Test measures the level of riboflavin (vitamin B2) in your blood. Riboflavin is a water-soluble vitamin that your body needs to produce energy and support cell function. A doctor may order this test when a patient shows signs of nutritional deficiency or belongs to a high-risk group. The sample collected is venous blood, drawn from a vein in the arm.
This test is also referred to as the Riboflavin Test, Vitamin B2 Whole Blood test, Vitamin B2 EDTA Plasma test, or the Erythrocyte Glutathione Reductase (EGR) Activity Test, depending on which measurement method is used.
What Does a Vitamin B2 Riboflavin Test Measure?
The test can assess riboflavin status through three related measurements. Each offers a slightly different view of how much riboflavin your body has available.
| Parameter | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Flavin Adenine Dinucleotide (FAD) | The main storage form of riboflavin in whole blood, making up around 90% of total riboflavin, reflects tissue stores |
| Plasma Riboflavin / FMN | Directly measures riboflavin and flavin mononucleotide circulating in the blood |
| EGRAC (EGR Activation Coefficient) | A functional marker measures how much an FAD-dependent enzyme in red blood cells is activated by added FAD. Higher values point to lower riboflavin status |
Why Is a Vitamin B2 Riboflavin Test Done?
Doctors order the Vitamin B2 Riboflavin Test to assess nutritional status, diagnose suspected deficiency, or check whether riboflavin supplementation is working.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
Several physical signs may prompt a doctor to request this test. The following are common reasons it is prescribed:
- Sore or inflamed throat
- Cracked or sore lesions at the corners of the mouth (angular stomatitis)
- Lesions on the lips (cheilosis)
- A swollen, fissured tongue with a magenta colour (glossitis)
- Red, scaly patches on the nose, eyelids, or genitals (dyssebacia)
- Blood vessels growing into the cornea of the eye (corneal vascularisation)
- Unexplained fatigue or signs of anaemia
- Slowed growth
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The Riboflavin Test can help identify a range of conditions related to riboflavin deficiency or altered metabolism. These include:
- Ariboflavinosis (clinical riboflavin deficiency), which can cause skin and mouth lesions, anaemia, and fatigue
- Secondary deficiency of niacin (vitamin B3), triggered by low riboflavin
- Genetic conditions such as riboflavin transporter deficiency (RTD) and multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MADD), a metabolic disorder affecting how the body breaks down fatty acids
- Malabsorption conditions such as coeliac disease, Crohn's disease, and inflammatory bowel disease
- Riboflavin depletion caused by chronic alcohol use
How to Prepare and What to Expect
Preparing correctly for this test helps ensure your results are accurate.
Do You Need to Fast?
Yes. A fasting period of 10 to 12 hours before the test is required. If the test is being done for an infant, the sample should be collected just before the next feeding. Plain water is permitted during the fasting window.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
A few simple steps before your appointment help improve sample quality. Keep the following in mind:
- Avoid vitamin and riboflavin supplements for at least 24 hours before the test
- Wear a short-sleeved or loose-fitting top for easy access to your arm
- Stay well hydrated with plain water
- Inform your doctor of any prescription or over-the-counter medications you take
- Avoid strenuous physical activity on the day of the test
Step-by-Step Procedure
The blood collection process is straightforward and takes only a few minutes. Here is what to expect:
- Healthcare professional will clean the inner part of your arm with an antiseptic solution.
- A small needle is inserted into a vein. You may feel a brief sting as the needle goes in and comes out.
- A small amount of blood is drawn into a test tube or vial.
- Because riboflavin breaks down in light, the sample is transferred into a light-protective amber vial.
- If plasma is needed, the sample is centrifuged (spun to separate components) within two hours of collection and placed into an amber vial.
- The sample is then transported to the laboratory in a frozen or refrigerated state for analysis.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Certain factors can influence your results. The following are known to affect accuracy:
- Eating or taking supplements within the fasting window can falsely raise levels
- Recent riboflavin supplement use within 24 hours of the test
- Improper light protection of the sample during transport
- Dehydration or poor sample handling
- Certain medications, including tricyclic antidepressants, which share a similar chemical structure to riboflavin
Understanding Your Vitamin B2 Riboflavin Test Results
Your results should always be reviewed together with your doctor, who will consider them alongside your symptoms, medical history, and overall nutritional status.
| Parameter | Normal Range | Low (Possible Deficiency) | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plasma Riboflavin | 1 to 19 mcg/L | Below 1 mcg/L | Above 19 mcg/L |
| Whole Blood FAD | 137 to 370 µg/L | Below 137 µg/L | Above 370 µg/L |
| EGRAC | Below 1.3 (adequate) | 1.3 or above (deficient) | Not applicable |
These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
Results During Special Conditions
Certain health conditions can affect how results are interpreted. Your doctor will take these into account:
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid): Studies show that people with thyroid conditions can have notably lower free FAD levels, which may affect EGRAC readings even when dietary intake appears adequate.
- Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid): The body's ability to absorb riboflavin may be reduced, potentially leading to lower measured levels.
- Neonatal phototherapy: In newborns receiving light treatment for jaundice, riboflavin can break down due to light exposure, leading to lower levels.
- Chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis may alter EGR activity, making functional test results harder to interpret in isolation.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
General dietary habits can support adequate riboflavin levels over time. Consider these everyday tips:
- Include riboflavin-rich foods in your daily diet, such as dairy products, eggs, lean meats, mushrooms, dark green leafy vegetables, and fortified grains.
- Limit alcohol intake, as chronic alcohol use is a well-known cause of riboflavin depletion.
- Store milk and other riboflavin-containing foods away from direct light, as the vitamin degrades with light exposure.
Lupin Diagnostics Vitamin B2 Riboflavin Test Price and Home Collection
The Vitamin B2 Riboflavin Test is available at Lupin Diagnostics starting from approximately ₹5,000, with home sample collection offered across multiple cities.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| Guwahati | ₹5,000 |
| Mumbai | ₹5,000 |
| Bangalore | ₹5,000 |
| Chennai | ₹5,000 |
| Hyderabad | ₹5,000 |
| Kolkata | ₹5,000 |
| Pune | ₹5,000 |
| Bangalore | ₹5,000 |
Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
Booking your Riboflavin Test with Lupin Diagnostics takes just a few steps:
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred time slot.
- Opt for home sample collection by a certified phlebotomist, or visit your nearest Lupin Diagnostics centre.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.
Home Collection
Lupin Diagnostics offers home sample collection for the Vitamin B2, EDTA Plasma and whole blood tests across cities in India. Samples are processed in NABL-accredited laboratories by trained technologists. Your digital report is delivered securely via email or WhatsApp.
Frequently Asked Questions
This test checks the level of riboflavin in your blood to evaluate your nutritional status. It is used to diagnose deficiency (a condition called ariboflavinosis) and to confirm that riboflavin supplementation is having the desired effect.
The test is recommended for people at higher risk of low riboflavin levels. This includes those who are malnourished, follow a vegan or vegetarian diet, have hypothyroidism or adrenal insufficiency, consume alcohol regularly, or take certain medications such as tricyclic antidepressants. Pregnant and lactating women and their infants are also considered at risk.
Yes, fasting for 10 to 12 hours before the test is required. For infants, the sample should be collected just before a feed. You should also avoid vitamin supplements for at least 24 hours before the test, as these can raise riboflavin levels artificially.
Common signs include cracks and sores at the corners of the mouth, a sore or fissured tongue, skin rashes on the face, sensitivity to light, recurring sore throat, fatigue, and anaemia. These signs tend to develop gradually over time.
High readings are usually linked to recent supplement use or fortified foods. Since riboflavin is water-soluble, any excess is excreted in urine, which may turn bright yellow. No cases of riboflavin toxicity in humans have been reported in medical literature.
Riboflavin breaks down when exposed to light. Collecting and transporting the sample in a light-protective amber vial preserves the integrity of the specimen and ensures accurate results.
The frequency depends on your clinical situation. If you are receiving treatment for a deficiency, your doctor may suggest retesting after a few weeks of supplementation to check whether levels have returned to a normal range.
Vitamin B2 Riboflavin Test: Booking, Price, and Results
