Understanding vitamin B12

Abstract

Dentists often act as primary care physicians. If they are able to identify symptoms of vitamin B 12 deficiency, dentists can identify the problem at the early stage of the pathology. They can make appropriate referrals to specialists who can make a diagnosis and recommend treatment. Effective treatment may be possible at the stage before neurological symptoms occur, preventing irreversible changes to the body. Vitamin B 12 (cobalamin) plays an essential role in many metabolic processes, including biosynthesis of nucleic acids. The clinical manifestations of vitamin B 12 deficiency are highly polymorphic and depend on many factors. This review presents fundamental information about the structure of vitamin B 12 , its dietary sources, up-to-date understanding of its role in the human body and the most important consequences of its deficiency, including manifestations within the mucous membrane of the oral cavity. Due to the fact that a large percentage of adults and elderly patients have an undiagnosed vitamin B 12 deficiency it is prudent to screen for vitamin B 12 status. Methylmalonic acid and/or holotranscobalamin II (holoTCII) have been proposed to be the most sensitive assessment methods. Among high risk groups (e.g. the elderly, vegetarians, people with gastrointestinal health conditions), screening should be recommended at each annual examination.

Oral manifestations of vitamin B12 deficiency associated with pernicious anemia: A case report

“…The most frequently applied intramuscular injection dose is 1000μg, administered daily to weekly initially, followed by monthly injections for maintenance of adequate B12 status [ 13 ].…”