The present invention relates to a method for determining absorption of
cobalamin or analogues thereof in an individual comprising (ii providing
two blood samples from said individual, wherein the first sample
comprises said individual's blood prior to ingestion by said individual
of non-radioactive cobalamin or an analogue thereof and the second sample
comprises said individual's blood after said ingestion, (ii) determining
the concentration of cobalamin or analogue thereof in the first sample,
(iii) determining the concentration of cobalamin or analogue thereof in
the second sample by treating complexes of cobalamin or analogue thereof
and one or more carrier proteins with one or more enzymes to release
cobalamin or analogue thereof from said one or more carrier proteins, and
(iv) determining, on the basis of comparison of said concentrations in
said two samples, whether said cobalamin or analogue thereof has been
absorbed in the blood stream.