Vitamin B12 and folate deficiency

Question 1

What is Vitamin B12 and folate deficiency?

Answer 1

Why is this a LO? its a nutrient deficiency?

Question 2

How do you get Vitamin B12 and folate deficiency?

Answer 2

> Pernicious anaemia (B12) 
> Diet
> Addisons disease/ vitiligo are RFs for pernicious anaemia
> Gastrectomy
> IBD
> PPI
> Malabsorption
> Excessive peeing
> Anticonvulsants
> pregnancy
> cancer

Question 3

What are the signs and symptoms of B12 and folate deficiency?

Answer 3

> Symptoms related to anaemia
> a pale yellow tinge to your skin
> Glossitis
> mouth ulcers
> Parasthesia
> disturbed vision
> irritability
> depression
> Mental ability decline
> Reduced sense of taste
> Diarrhoea
> Numbness and tingling in the feet and hands
> muscle weakness
> depression

Question 4

What is the epidemiology of B12/ folate deficiency?

Answer 4

In the general population, some studies have shown that among patients with anemia, approximately 1% to 2% is due to B12 deficiency

The prevalence of folate deficiency has decreased since many countries in the western hemisphere introduced a mandatory folic acid food fortification program starting in the late 1990s

Question 5

What investigations would you do for B12/ folate deficiency?

Answer 5

Bloods
> FBC (anaemia
> B12 and folate