Summary
The use of metformin (a conventional anti-diabetes drug) is associated with vitamin B12 deficiency. Dutch researchers investigated the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in type 2 diabetes patients and its relationship to the duration and dose of metformin use. The study was performed with 550 type 2 diabetes patients using metformin. The study showed that vitamin B12 deficiency frequently occurs among diabetes patients using metformin. A higher dose of metformin was associated with a significant decrease in vitamin B12 concentrations, and a higher daily intake of metformin was strongly associated with lower vitamin B12 concentrations. This indicates the importance of screening for vitamin B12 deficiency. More details can be found in the study.
References
Beulens et al.