title: Why vitamin B12 deficiency should be managed aggressively.
abstract: Recent evidence suggests that vitamin B12 deficiency in the elderly is more than classic pernicious anemia. Instead, it is a continuum from negative B12 balance to frank deficiency, which can be detected by low serum B12 levels long before changes occur in hemoglobin levels. Current findings in the literature suggest that subtle B12 deficiency is indeed clinically significant. Treatment may prevent significant neurologic and/or hematologic disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, New York University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: McRae
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Freedman
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D007437:Intrinsic Factor / Q000097:blood; D012546:Schilling Test; D014155:Transcobalamins / Q000378:metabolism*; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014806:Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D014155:Transcobalamins; D007437:Intrinsic Factor; D014805:Vitamin B 12