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Programs & Services - Medical Imaging

Nuclear Medicine > Exams & Procedures > Schilling's Test

This test is used to determine the cause of vitamin B-12 deficiency.

This test involves a vitamin B-12 injection into a muscle of your arm. You will also be given a capsule to swallow containing a small amount of radioactive tracer bound to vitamin B-12. You will be instructed to collect all of your urine for the next 24 hours.

Preparation

  • You should have nothing to eat or drink for eight hours prior to the test.
  • You should stop vitamin B-12 therapy one week before the test.
  • Women should not be menstruating at the time of the test.
  • Bring a list of all medications and supplements you take. This includes vitamins, herbal remedies, and holistic medications.
  • Do not bring children or pregnant women with you to the department. We do not want to expose them to unnecessary radiation.
  • Any of these procedures is subject to change according to the nuclear medicine physician. The duration of the tests is a rough estimate. Please be aware that the time may be lengthened if a scan has to be repeated, if emergency cases are brought to the department or due to unforeseen circumstances.

About the Procedure

  • The procedure takes about 15 minutes plus a 24 hour urine collection.
  • A technologist will briefly explain the test to you and try to answer any questions you may have about the procedure.
  • A technologist will ask you a few questions about your medical history and medications.
  • You will be asked to use the washroom before starting the test.
  • You will be given an injection of vitamin B-12 into a muscle of your arm.
  • You will be given a capsule to swallow that contains a radioactive tracer bound to vitamin B-12.
  • You are not to have anything to eat for two hours after the capsule.
  • You are to collect all of your urine for 24 hours (a container will be provided).
  • Return the urine collection to the nuclear medicine department.
  • If the urine collection is incomplete it will affect the results - let the technologist know if the collection is incomplete.
  • If the results of this test indicate that your vitamin B-12 deficiency may be caused by a lack of intrinsic factor (something produced by your stomach to help absorb vitamin B-12) the test will be repeated giving you an intrinsic factor supplement.