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Vitamin B12 deficiency

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Synonyms and keywords: B12 deficiency

Overview

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

B12 deficiency can potentially cause severe and irreversible damage, especially to the brain and nervous system.

The daily cobalamin (vitamin B12) requirement is 1-2 mcg. An intake of 5-20 mcg/day is usual in a Western diet. The total body can store 2-5 mg. 60% of vitamin B12 is efficiently absorbed via the ileum when it is bound to intrinsic factor (IF).

The first deficiency symptom that was discovered was anemia characterized by enlarged blood corpuscles, so-called megaloblastic anemia.

The anemia is thought to be due to problems in DNA synthesis, specifically in the synthesis of thymine, which is dependent on products of the MTR reaction. Other cell lines such as white blood cells and platelets are often also low. Bone marrow examination may show megaloblastic hemopoiesis. The anemia is easy to cure with vitamin B12.

Far more serious is the damage to the nervous system that may occur due to deficiency.

Historical Perspective

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating [Disease] from Other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

For vegans, the risk is very high because none of their natural food sources contain B12. One American study found blood levels below normal in 92 % of vegans, 64 % of lacto-vegetarians, and 47% of lacto-ovo vegetarians.[1] The study applied the old normal values, so in reality a considerably greater proportion may have been deficient.

Screening

Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis

Natural History

Complications

Prognosis

Diagnosis

Diagnostic Criteria

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

Imaging Findings

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Surgery

Prevention

References

  1. Dong A and Scott SC (1982). “Ann Nutr Metab 26(4):209-16”.

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Historical Perspective
Classification

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

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Overview

Classification

References

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Pathophysiology

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Nabeel Ahmed, M.B.B.S

Overview

Pathophysiology

  • Dietary Vitamin B12 binds to salivary R factor then the complex arrives at small intestine.[1]
  • In duodenum Vitamin B12 is detach from R- factor by pancreatic proteases.
  • Now free B12 binds to intrinsic factor which is secreted by gastric parietal cell.
  • The intrinsic factor – B12 complex is absorbed in the ileum.
  • Absorbed vitamin B12 is use in metabolic pathways which is important for neurologic and hematologic function if vitamin B12 is deficit regardless of the cause many impairments may occur .
  • Vitamin B12 is a cofactor for the enzyme methionine synthase which convert homocysteine to methionine as a result methyl- THF is converted to THF which is use in synthesis of pyrimidine base of DNA.
  • In B 12 deficiency homocysteine accumulate which cause megaloblastic anemia and hypersegmented neutrophils.
  • Vitamin B 12 is a cofactor for enzyme methylmalonyl-COA mutase , which converts methylmalonic-COA to succinyl-COA. In B 12 deficiency methylmalonic acid (MMA ) will accumulate. MMA and elevated level of homocysteine cause damage of myelin as a result subacute combined degeneration of spinal cord ( SCDSC ) occur . This affects dorsal columns, lateral corticospinal tracts and spinocerebellar tract as result loss of proprioception , ataxia , peripheral neuropathy and dementia.

References

  1. Ankar A, Bhimji SS. PMID 28722952. Missing or empty |title= (help)

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Causes

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Luke Rusowicz-Orazem, B.S.

Overview

Common causes of vitamin B12 deficiency include insufficient dietary intake, as well as diseases and iatrogenic procedures causing problems in absorption. It is common in individuals adhering to vegetarian or vegan diets without external supplementation, due to primary sources including animal products such as meat, eggs, and dairy.

Causes

Common Causes

Causes by Organ System

Cardiovascular No underlying causes
Chemical/Poisoning Nitroux oxide abuse
Dental No underlying causes
Dermatologic No underlying causes
Drug Side Effect Cimetidine, Glyburide , Metformin hydrochloride, Neomycin, Omeprazole, Pantoprazole, Prolonged antiacid use, Rabeprazole, Ranitidine hydrochloride, Saxagliptin hydrochloride
Ear Nose Throat No underlying causes
Endocrine Graves’ disease
Environmental No underlying causes
Gastroenterologic Achlorhydria, Atrophic gastritis, Bariatric surgery, Blind loop syndrome, Bothriocephalosis, Celiac disease, Chronic pancreatitis, Cobalamin malabsorption, Crohn’s disease, Gastrectomy, Gastritis, Grasbeck-imerslund disease, Ileal resection, Imerslund-najman-grasbeck anemia, Malabsorption syndrome, Pancreatic insufficiency, Pancreatitis, Postgastrectomy syndrome, Small bowel disease
Genetic Homocystinuria, Mthfr deficiency
Hematologic Grasbeck-imerslund disease, Imerslund-najman-grasbeck anemia, Intrinsic factor deficiency , Juvenile megaloblastic anemia, Macrocytic anemia, Megaloblastic anemia, Pernicious anemia, Transcobalamin deficiency
Iatrogenic Bariatric surgery, Gastrectomy, Ileal resection, N2o anesthesia , Postgastrectomy syndrome
Infectious Disease Bothriocephalosis, Diphyllobothrium latum
Musculoskeletal/Orthopedic No underlying causes
Neurologic No underlying causes
Nutritional/Metabolic Cobalamin malabsorption, Excessive alcohol consumption, Insufficient diet, Veganism, Vegetarianism
Obstetric/Gynecologic No underlying causes
Oncologic No underlying causes
Ophthalmologic No underlying causes
Overdose/Toxicity Excessive alcohol consumption, Nitroux oxide abuse
Psychiatric No underlying causes
Pulmonary No underlying causes
Renal/Electrolyte No underlying causes
Rheumatology/Immunology/Allergy Crohn’s disease, Systemic lupus erythematosus
Sexual No underlying causes
Trauma No underlying causes
Urologic No underlying causes
Miscellaneous Idiopathic

Cause in Alphabetical Order

References

  1. Camarero-Shelly M, Pellitero S, Martínez E, Puig R, Leis A, Zavala R, Granada ML, Pastor C, Moreno P, Tarascó J, Balibrea J, Puig-Domingo M (April 2018). “[Vitamin B12 levels in the patient population attending an urban health centre in Madrid]”. Semergen (in Spanish; Castilian). 44 (3): 161–167. doi:10.1016/j.semerg.2017.03.006. PMID 28457771.
  2. Gomollón F, Gargallo CJ, Muñoz JF, Vicente R, Lue A, Mir A, García-Alvarado M, Gracia M, García-López S (March 2017). “Oral Cyanocobalamin is Effective in the Treatment of Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Crohn’s Disease”. Nutrients. 9 (3). doi:10.3390/nu9030308. PMC 5372971. PMID 28335526.
  3. Orskov I, Orskov F (January 1966). “Episome-carried surface antigen K88 of Escherichia coli. I. Transmission of the determinant of the K88 antigen and influence on the transfer of chromosomal markers”. J. Bacteriol. 91 (1): 69–75. PMID 5323299.
  4. de Jager J, Kooy A, Lehert P, Wulffelé MG, van der Kolk J, Bets D, Verburg J, Donker AJ, Stehouwer CD (May 2010). “Long term treatment with metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes and risk of vitamin B-12 deficiency: randomised placebo controlled trial”. BMJ. 340: c2181. PMC 2874129. PMID 20488910.

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Differentiating Vitamin B12 deficiency from other Diseases

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

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Overview

Differential Diagnosis

References

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Epidemiology and Demographics

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Epidemiology and Demographics

A large study in the US found that 39 % people had low values.[1] This study at Tufts University used the B12 concentration 258 pmol/l (= 350 pg/liter) as a criterion of “low level”. Research has shown that B12 deficiency may occur at a much higher B12 concentration (500-600 pg/l). On this basis Mitsuyama and Kogoh [2] proposed 550 pg/l, and Tiggelen et al [3] proposed 600 pg/l. Against this background, there are reasons to believe that B12 deficiency is present in a far greater proportion of the population than 39% as reported by the Tufts University.

In the developing world the deficiency is very widespread, with significant levels of deficiency in Africa, India, and South and Central America. This is due to low intakes of animal products, particular among the poor and strict vegan Increased intake of animal products or supplements have been suggested.[4]

B12 deficiency is even more common in the elderly.[5] This is because B12 absorption decreases greatly in the presence of atrophic gastritis, which is common in elderly.

References

  1. “B12 Deficiency May Be More Widespread Than Thought / August 2, 2000 / News from the USDA Agricultural Research Service”. Retrieved 2007-07-01.
  2. Mitsuyama Y, Kogoh H. (1988). “Serum and cerebrospinal fluid vitamin B12 levels in demented patients with CH3- B12 treatment”. Japanese Journal of Psychiatry and Neurology. 42 (1): 65–71. line feed character in |title= at position 80 (help)
  3. VanTiggelen CJM, Peperkamp JPC, TerToolen JFW. (1983). “Vitamin-B12 levels of cerebrospinal fluid in patients with organic mental disorder”. Journal of Orthomolecular Psychiatry (12): 305–11.
  4. Sally P. Stabler and ­ Robert H. Allen(2004). “Vitamin B12 Deficiency as a Worldwide Problem. Annual Review of Nutrition 24: 299-326″. soft hyphen character in |author= at position 22 (help)
  5. H.W. Baik, R.M. Russell (1999). “Vitamin b12 deficiency in the elderly. Annual Review of Nutrition 19: 357-377”.

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Risk Factors

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

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Overview

For vegans, the risk is very high because none of their natural food sources contain B12. One American study found blood levels below normal in 92 % of vegans, 64 % of lacto-vegetarians, and 47% of lacto-ovo vegetarians.[1] The study applied the old normal values, so in reality a considerably greater proportion may have been deficient.

Risk Factors

References

  1. Dong A and Scott SC (1982). “Ann Nutr Metab 26(4):209-16”.

Template:WH Template:WS

Screening

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Please help WikiDoc by adding content here. It’s easy! Click here to learn about editing.

Overview

Screening

References

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Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Please help WikiDoc by adding content here. It’s easy! Click here to learn about editing.

Overview

Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis

References

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Diagnosis

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms | Physical Examination | Laboratory Findings | Schilling Test | Other Imaging Findings | Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Treatment

Medical Therapy | Primary Prevention | Secondary Prevention | Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy | Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case Studies

Case #1

Related Chapters

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