Vitamin B12 Deficiency Mimicking Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract

Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) deficiency can lead to ineffective erythropoiesis, intramedullary hemolysis, and, in severe cases, neurologic deficits. Some of those findings are also features of thrombotic microangiopathies, specifically thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), and the distinction between both entities could sometimes be challenging. While the treatment of the former consists of enteral or parenteral repletion, the treatment of TTP is more complex and time-sensitive. For that reason, refining diagnostic strategies is crucial to avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary interventions. Here is an example of a potential life-threatening hemolysis caused by vitamin B12 deficiency with acute onset neurologic symptoms, which resolved with B12 repletion.