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Serum vitamin B12 levels in the aged
Acta Medica Scandinavica
|January 1, 1976
Summary
A third of elderly patients had low vitamin B12 levels, indicating a high prevalence of cobalamin deficiency. Early treatment for nutritional deficiencies is recommended, even without anemia.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Nutritional Biochemistry
Background:
- Age-related changes in cobalamin levels are not fully understood.
- Prevalence of deficiencies in anti-megaloblastic nutrients in the elderly requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related variations in normal blood cobalamin levels.
- To determine the frequency of anti-megaloblastic nutrient deficiencies in geriatric patients.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of serum vitamin B12 levels in 273 geriatric patients.
- Comparison with a younger control group.
- Assessment of causes for low cobalamin levels, including pernicious anemia, malabsorption, and nutritional deficiency.
Main Results:
- One-third of geriatric patients exhibited low serum vitamin B12.
- Identified causes included latent pernicious anemia (5), malabsorption (7), and nutritional deficiency (78).
- Geriatric group with normal B12 levels had lower mean values than the younger control group, but this difference was inconclusive due to potential nutritional deficiencies.
Conclusions:
- Serum vitamin B12 assays should be widely utilized in elderly individuals.
- Treatment for cobalamin or folate deficiency is advised, irrespective of the presence of megaloblastic anemia.