Not always especially if it's not being absorbed. B12 serum testing does not rule out a B12 deficiency. If it's in the low - mid normal range and there are hematological or neurological symptoms, further testing should be explored. So if you knew your mom's B12 prior to her supplementing it, that would be helpful.
This link provides a pretty good understanding of B12. The second is an update to it.
http://www.aafp.org/afp/2003/0301/p979.html
http://www.aafp.org/afp/2011/0615/p1425.html
The more bio-available form of B12 is methyl-cobalamin and for folate, L-methylfolate, Metafolin (or any bio-active folate).
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Marlene, wife to John DX w/SAA April 2002, Stable partial remission; Treated with High Dose Cytoxan, Johns Hopkins, June 2002. Final phlebotomy 11/2016. As of July 2021 HGB 12.0, WBC 4.70/ANC 3.85, Plts 110K.
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