Vitamin B12 deficiency: underdiagnosed, overtreated?
Neurologic damage may become permanent when the disorder is mistaken for multiple sclerosis or diabetic neuropathy--hence the need for prompt parenteral B12 in patients with pernicious anemia. The need for B12 injections is questionable for patients with achlorhydria and for those with a marginal or low serum B12 level but no signs or symptoms of deficiency.
Schilling
R F
RF
University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, USA.
Williams
W J
WJ
D000126:Achlorhydria / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000749:Anemia, Megaloblastic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D000752:Anemia, Pernicious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D014806:Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*
D014805:Vitamin B 12