Affiliation:
1. National Medical Research Center of Endocrinology
Abstract
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is a collective name for a group of water-soluble cobalt-containing biologically active compounds belonging to corrinoids. Vitamin B12 is essential for hematopoiesis, the formation of epithelial tissue; as a coenzyme, it is involved in the metabolism of fatty acids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids. Cobalamin defi ciency is associated with the development of anemia, polyneuropathy, and decreased cognitive function. Due to the nonspecifi city of symptoms and the possible development of severe and potentially irreversible complications, it is important to conduct timely screening among patients from risk groups. Among endocrine disorders, vitamin B12 defi ciency is found in patients with diabetes mellitus, obesity and autoimmune thyroid disease mostly. In particular, metformin may cause a decrease in vitamin B12 levels and polyneuropathy, which is diffi cult to diff erentiate from diabetic polyneuropathy. In patients with autoimmune thyroid lesions, other autoimmune diseases are often observed, atrophic gastritis and pernicious anemia notably. Vitamin B12 malabsorption can lead to defi ciency even when consumed adequately, which possibly explains the relatively high prevalence of B12 defi ciency in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease. This literature review summarizes recent advances on the role of vitamin B12 metabolism, potential risk groups for vitamin B12 defi ciency among common endocrine diseases, and the benefi t for its replacement with high-dose oral forms, cyanocobalamin 1 mg in particular
Publisher
Medical Informational Agency Publishers