Alpha 2.0
Login Register
» Articles » PMID: 5556053

Vitamin-B12 Status of Patients on Long-term Metformin Therapy

Overview
Journal Br Med J
Specialty General Medicine
Date 1971 Jun 19
PMID 5556053
Citations 63
Authors
G H Tomkin
D R Hadden
J A Weaver
D A Montgomery
Affiliations
Soon will be listed here.
Abstract

Vitamin-B(12) malabsorption has been found in 21 (30%) of 71 diabetic patients taking long-term metformin therapy in addition to dietary management. The patients with evidence of B(12) malabsorption had significantly lower haemoglobin levels (and significantly higher serum folic acid levels) than those with normal B(12) absorption. Steatorrhoea was found in only one patient. Stopping metformin therapy resulted in reversion of B(12) absorption to normal in most patients examined. Four patients with B(12) malabsorption were found to have pathologically low serum B(12) levels. The causes and implications of these findings are discussed and it is concluded that all patients on long-term metformin therapy should have annual serum B(12) estimations.

Citing Articles

Metformin-Induced Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Narrative Review with a Practical Approach for Screening, Diagnosing, and Managing Vitamin B12 Deficiency.

Yazidi M, Kammoun E, Oueslati I, Chihaoui M Korean J Fam Med. 2024; 45(4):189-198.

PMID: 39054838 PMC: 11273170. DOI: 10.4082/kjfm.24.0090.

Metformin and the Liver: Unlocking the Full Therapeutic Potential.

Perazza F, Leoni L, Colosimo S, Musio A, Bocedi G, DAvino M Metabolites. 2024; 14(4).

PMID: 38668314 PMC: 11052067. DOI: 10.3390/metabo14040186.

Vitamin B12 deficiency in diabetic patients treated with metformin: A cross-sectional study.

Huynh D, Thi Nguyen N, Duc Do M PLoS One. 2024; 19(4):e0302500.

PMID: 38662670 PMC: 11045118. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302500.

Metformin-Associated Vitamin B12 Deficiency: An Underrecognized Complication.

Thewjitcharoen Y, Chongvoranond P, Nakasatien S, Krittiyawong S, Himathongkam T JCEM Case Rep. 2024; 2(4):luae029.

PMID: 38623534 PMC: 11017106. DOI: 10.1210/jcemcr/luae029.

Individuals Diagnosed With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and the Status of Vitamin B12 Deficiency: A Review.

Batulwar P, Anjankar A Cureus. 2024; 16(2):e55103.

PMID: 38558585 PMC: 10978817. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.55103.

References
1.
BELL T, Bridges J, NELSON M . Simultaneous free and bound radioactive vitamin B-12 urinary excretion test. J Clin Pathol. 1965; 18(5):611-3. PMC: 473017. DOI: 10.1136/jcp.18.5.611. View
2.
Czyzyk A, Tawecki J, Sadowski J, Ponikowska I, Szczepanik Z . Effect of biguanides on intestinal absorption of glucose. Diabetes. 1968; 17(8):492-8. DOI: 10.2337/diab.17.8.492. View
3.
Goldstein F, Wirts C, Kowlessar O . Diabetic diarrhea and steatorrhea. Microbiologic and clinical observations. Ann Intern Med. 1970; 72(2):215-8. DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-72-2-215. View
4.
Bhatia S, BELL T, Love A, Montgomery D . An evaluation of a test using 14C labelled triglyceride in the diagnosis of steatorrhoea. Ir J Med Sci. 1969; 8(11):545-52. DOI: 10.1007/BF02955466. View
5.
Berchtold P, Bolli P, Arbenz U, KEISER G . [Disturbance of intestinal absorption following metformin therapy (observations on the mode of action of biguanides]. Diabetologia. 1969; 5(6):405-12. DOI: 10.1007/BF00427979. View