Vitamin B12 and clinical application

Authors

  • Narumon Densupsoontorn Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
  • Rathaporn Sumboonnanonda Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University

Keywords:

Adenosylcobalamin, Cobalamin, Cyanocobalamin, Hydroxocobalamin, Methylcobalamin, Vitamin B12

Abstract

Vitamin B12 or cobalamin has three natural forms (hydroxocobalamin, methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin) and one synthetic form (cyanocobalamin). Food sources of vitamin B12 consist of animal products and fortified foods. Digestion and absorption of vitamin B12 require two enzymes (pepsin and protease) and four proteins (haptocorrin, intrinsic factor, cubilin and amnionless). Then, vitamin B12 is carried by transcobalamin II in the bloodstream to the cells. The liver and muscles are the major storage organs of vitamin B12. Trace amount of it is excreted via feces. Vitamin B12 plays a role in the cofactor of methionine synthase and methylmalonyl-CoA mutase. Vitamin B12 deficiency is caused by inadequate dietary intake, abnormalities in absorption or transport, or abnormalities in intracellular metabolism. Clinical manifestations mainly occur in hematologic and neurologic systems. Investigations to confirm diagnosis and find the cause of the vitamin B12 deficiency consist of complete blood count, bone marrow analysis, blood tests for vitamin B12, methylmalonic acid, and homocysteine, Schilling test, urinalysis, and gene mutation analysis. Patients with vitamin B12 deficiency require oral or parenteral replacement (IV, SQ, or IM) therapy with different doses and frequencies depending on its causes.

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Published

2020-12-30

How to Cite

Densupsoontorn, N. ., & Sumboonnanonda, R. . (2020). Vitamin B12 and clinical application. Thai JPEN วารสารโภชนบำบัด, 28(2), 66–77. retrieved from https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/ThaiJPEN/article/view/248432

Issue

Vol. 28 No. 2 (2020): July-December 2020

Section

Review article

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