Riesgo de déficit de vitamina B12 a causa del uso de metformina

Abstract

The aim of the study was to describe the risk factors for vitamin B12 deficiency in patients prescribed metformin. The development of this literature review article was based on descriptive research, justified by means of several scientific bases such as: scientific articles of the last 5 years. A 22.2% rate of long-term vitamin B12 deficiency prevalence was found in study participants who had type 2 diabetes and were taking high doses of metformin daily. A "gold standard" for defining vitamin B12 deficiency has not yet been established, it was advisable to measure methylmalonic acid and homocysteine, as it is difficult to define true deficiency with serum vitamin B12 levels alone. Two signs of vitamin B12 deficiency are neuropathy and megaloblastic anemia, which were clinically significant. Vitamin B12 deficiency may be exacerbated by metformin intake at doses of 1500 mg or more per day, for this condition concomitant supplementation with multivitamins is necessary in order to protect potential deficiency