Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Continuous Metformin Treatment

Abstract

As we know type 2 diabetes is a global disease with many complications. The long-term treatment with metformin as a first line of therapy has been proven to cause low levels of cobalamin /vit. B12/. The main purpose of this analysis is to show the frequency of vitamin B12 deficiency among patients treated with biguanides. The RSNC/regional non-profit association/ “Diabetes Care” in Burgas conducted the study. Patients on metformin treatment for 5 to 10 years were included in it. From January to September 2022 was the period when all the data was collected. Information on the duration of metformin treatment was collected through an anamnesis. All patients were tested for vitamin B12 levels and the average value was found to be < 145 pmol/L - according to certified laboratory reference values - from 145 to 569 pmol/l. All participants in this study had laboratory evidence of anemia and were deficient in this vitamin . Vitamin B12 deficiency is preventable and these data show us the need of regular screening in patients on long-term treatment with metformin. This will allow the identification of patients with vitamin deficiency and the addition of treatment with it or/and discontinuation of metformin treatment.