The Vitamin B12 Levels in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients on Metformin and Not on Metformin

INTRODUCTION: Vitamin B12 is water soluble vitamins. The human body can store vitamin B12 for upto four years. Many drugs had interactions with vitamin B12 like metformin, proton pump inhibitors, h2 receptor antagonists, chloramphenicol etc., vitamin B12 found in animal products such as fish, meat, eggs, dairy products. Vitamin B12 is crucial in the normal function of brain and nervous system, formation of red blood cells, regulate DNA and deficiency lead to depression, confusion, memory problems, psychosis, sacd, dementia etc. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To study the vitamin B12 deficiency on metformin and not on metformin.The incidence of vitamin B12 deficiency had almost more in metformin group depends on duration. Our study had <6 months and >2 years. METHODS: The observational cross sectional study done. The 110 patients present in outpatient department in medicine and diabetology OPD. The patients on metformin with < 6 months and > 2 years duration were selected and blood for vitamin B12 is assessed. Patients not on metformin also drawn sample for vitamin B12 deficiency. The results were analysed for all 110 patients. RESULTS: Our study shows the patients > 2 years, patients in metformin had significant vitamin B12 deficiency. The patients who are less than 6 months had no significant vitamin B12 deficiency. The patients not on metformin had no significant vitamin B12 deficiency. The 22%patients had vitamin b12 deficiency on metformin group shown by macrocytosis in pheripheral smear study. CONCLUSION: The study suggest patient on metformin for longer duration [>2years] had significant vitamin b12 deficiency when compared to less than 6 months. And patients not on metformin in type 2 diabetic mellitus patients also had no significant vitamin b12 deficiency.