Document Detail


Metformin-induced vitamin B12 deficiency presenting as a peripheral neuropathy.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20134380     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Chronic metformin use results in vitamin B12 deficiency in 30% of patients. Exhaustion of vitamin B12 stores usually occurs after twelve to fifteen years of absolute vitamin B12 deficiency. Metformin has been available in the United States for approximately fifteen years. Vitamin B12 deficiency, which may present without anemia and as a peripheral neuropathy, is often misdiagnosed as diabetic neuropathy, although the clinical findings are usually different. Failure to diagnose the cause of the neuropathy will result in progression of central and/or peripheral neuronal damage which can be arrested but not reversed with vitamin B12 replacement. To my knowledge, this is the first report of metformin-induced vitamin B12 deficiency causing neuropathy.
Authors:
David S H Bell
Publication Detail:
Type:  Case Reports; Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Southern medical journal     Volume:  103     ISSN:  1541-8243     ISO Abbreviation:  South. Med. J.     Publication Date:  2010 Mar 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-03-11     Completed Date:  2010-04-20     Revised Date:  2011-10-12    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0404522     Medline TA:  South Med J     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  265-7     Citation Subset:  AIM; IM    
Affiliation:
Southside Endocrinology and Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, University of Alabama Medical School, Birmingham, AL 35205, USA. dshbell@yahoo.com
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Aged
Humans
Hypoglycemic Agents / adverse effects*
Male
Metformin / adverse effects*
Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / etiology*
Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / chemically induced*,  complications,  diagnosis*
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Hypoglycemic Agents; 657-24-9/Metformin
Comments/Corrections
Comment In:
South Med J. 2011 Jul;104(7):541-2; author reply 542   [PMID:  21886057 ]

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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