Vitamin B-12 deficiency
In medicine, vitamin B-12 deficiency, is a "nutritional condition produced by a deficiency of Vitamin B-12 in the diet, characterized by megaloblastic anemia. Since vitamin B 12 is not present in plants, humans have obtained their supply from animal products, from multivitamin supplements in the form of pills, and as additives to food preparations. A wide variety of neuropsychiatric abnormalities is also seen in vitamin B 12 deficiency and appears to be due to an undefined defect involving myelin synthesis."[1]
Manifestations include pernicious anemia and subacute combined degeneration.
Vitamin B-12 deficiency may be combined with iron deficiency anemia.[2]
Diagnosis
Vitamin B-12 deficiency may be an explanation for macrocytosis[3]
However, the MCV is not completely accurate.[4][5]
Folic acid levels may not help.[6]
B12 levels may have imperfect sensitivity[7] and low positive predictive value.[8]
Diagnosis may be especially difficult in alcoholics.[9]
Treatment
Oral therapy may be effective.[10]
References
- ↑ Anonymous (2024), Vitamin B-12 deficiency (English). Medical Subject Headings. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
- ↑ Beyan C, Kaptan K, Beyan E, Turan M (2005). "The platelet count/mean corpuscular hemoglobin ratio distinguishes combined iron and vitamin B12 deficiency from uncomplicated iron deficiency.". Int J Hematol 81 (4): 301-3. DOI:10.1532/IJH97.E0311. PMID 15914358. Research Blogging.
- ↑ Wymer A, Becker DM (1990). "Recognition and evaluation of red blood cell macrocytosis in the primary care setting.". J Gen Intern Med 5 (3): 192-7. PMID 2341917. [e]
- ↑ Oosterhuis WP, Niessen RW, Bossuyt PM, Sanders GT, Sturk A (2000). "Diagnostic value of the mean corpuscular volume in the detection of vitamin B12 deficiency.". Scand J Clin Lab Invest 60 (1): 9-18. PMID 10757449. [e]
- ↑ Seward SJ, Safran C, Marton KI, Robinson SH (1990). "Does the mean corpuscular volume help physicians evaluate hospitalized patients with anemia?". J Gen Intern Med 5 (3): 187-91. DOI:10.1007/BF02600530. PMID 2187961. Research Blogging.
- ↑ Ashraf MJ, Cook JR, Rothberg MB (2008). "Clinical utility of folic acid testing for patients with anemia or dementia.". J Gen Intern Med 23 (6): 824-6. DOI:10.1007/s11606-008-0615-z. PMID 18414954. PMC PMC2517884. Research Blogging.
- ↑ Naurath HJ, Joosten E, Riezler R, Stabler SP, Allen RH, Lindenbaum J (1995). "Effects of vitamin B12, folate, and vitamin B6 supplements in elderly people with normal serum vitamin concentrations.". Lancet 346 (8967): 85-9. PMID 7603218. [e]
- ↑ Matchar DB, McCrory DC, Millington DS, Feussner JR (1994). "Performance of the serum cobalamin assay for diagnosis of cobalamin deficiency.". Am J Med Sci 308 (5): 276-83. PMID 7977446. [e]
- ↑ Savage D, Lindenbaum J (1986). "Anemia in alcoholics.". Medicine (Baltimore) 65 (5): 322-38. PMID 3747828. [e]
- ↑ Vidal-Alaball J, Butler CC, Cannings-John R, Goringe A, Hood K, McCaddon A et al. (2005). "Oral vitamin B12 versus intramuscular vitamin B12 for vitamin B12 deficiency.". Cochrane Database Syst Rev (3): CD004655. DOI:10.1002/14651858.CD004655.pub2. PMID 16034940. Research Blogging. Review in: Evid Based Med. 2006 Feb;11(1):9