Vitamin B12 Status in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients on Metformin therapy: A Teaching Hospital Based Study

Vitamin B12 Status in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients on Metformin therapy

Abstract

Background: Diabetes is fast gaining the status of a potential epidemic in India, with more than 62 million diabetic individuals currently diagnosed with the disease. Subjects and Methods: 50, Type-2 diabetic patients on metformin therapy, with age ranging from 30 to 65 years and 50 healthy controls, were recruited from the General Medicine Department of Nimra Institute of Medical Sciences, according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: In this study, the level of FBS, HbA1c, Fasting insulin, Homocysteine, C peptide, and Methyl Malonic acid were significantly increased (p <0.01), while Vitamin B12 levels were significantly decreased (p<0.01) in the study group, as compared  to controls. It was observed that the mean level of vitamin B12 markers, homocysteine and methylmalonic acid were significantly higher and low level of vitamin B12 was found in patients who were on metformin therapy. Reports have shown that metformin use has a significant impact on the concentration of vitamin B12 in patients with T2DM.Conclusion: Metformin, which is the first line oral hypoglycemic agent as recommended by ADA, is significantly associated with decrease in vitamin B12 levels. There is moderate correlation between the markers of B12 status and levels of fasting blood sugar as well as HbA1C. There is a significant correlation between insulin and C-peptide with the markers of vitamin B12 status.