Approaches to vitamin B12 deficiency. Early treatment may prevent devastating complications.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is a common problem that affects the general population and the elderly in particular. Persons with the deficiency may be asymptomatic or may have hematologic or neuropsychiatric signs and symptoms. If the disorder is untreated, complications may cause significant morbidity. In this article, Drs Dharmarajan and Norkus discuss approaches to screening and diagnosis as well as the nontoxic, low-cost treatments now available.
Dharmarajan
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Division of Geriatrics, Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center, 4141 Carpenter Ave, Bronx, NY 10466, USA.
Norkus
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D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D008403:Mass Screening; D009017:Morbidity; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014806:Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology
D014805:Vitamin B 12