THE PROBLEM OF DIAGNOSING VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY

Abstract

Vitamin B12 deficiency (cobalamin) is a common cause of megaloblastic anemia, with various neuropsychiatric symptoms. The prevalence is not known with certainty, but the incidence seems to increase with age. The diagnosis is usually based on the identification of a low serum level of vitamin B12 with clinical evidence of deficiency and with a good response to vitamin B12 replacement therapy. When confirming the diagnosis, consideration should be given to the etiology that may be due to nutritional deficiency, malabsorption and other gastrointestinal causes.

Keywords

• vitamin b12
• megaloblastic anemia
• malabsorption