Long-term metformin can lead to low vitamin B12
Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 1:00 pm
Dear All
Metformin (INN ) (pronounced
/mɛtˈfɔrmɪn/ ; originally sold as
Glucophage) is an oral anti-diabetic drug in the
biguanide class. It is the first-line
drug of choice for the treatment of type 2
diabetes , particularly in overweight
and obese people
and those with normal kidney function.
Pls see the article below. I am amazed how simply they 'ignore' the rise in Homocysteine and
mention it passing.
This is a liver produced hormone and is directly linked with the rise of cholesterol.
The reason is that Homocysteine is extremely corrosive to the internal layer of blood vessels.
When it causes the damage, cholesterol is used by the body to create a smooth layer whilst healing
takes place underneath.
This link has been known since late 60's - but the guy who wrote about it lost his labs in an
exactly the same way as Jacque Beneviste lost his labs in France.
One simple way to reduce Homocysteine and consequently cholesterol is to eat lots of green
vegetables. There is no money in this for the drug companies, but there is plenty in fighting
cholesterol!
(Now where did I hear a similar story before?)
(
Rgds
Soroush
http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/story.asp?s ... s_4_020610
Long-term metformin can lead to low vitamin B12
02 Jun 10
By Lilian Anekwe
Long-term metformin therapy can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency in patients with diabetes, according
to a randomised controlled trial in patients with type 2 diabetes.
390 patients with type 2 diabetes
who
receiving insulin therapy were randomised to receiving either 850mg of Metformin
or placebo three times a day for 4.3 years, and the percentage change in their vitamin B12, folate
and homocysteine concentrations from baselines were measured at 4,l 17, 30, 43 and 52 months.
During metformin treatment, vitamin B12 decreased by 89.9pmol/l, or 19%, whereas folate
concentration increased by 0.21nmol/l or 3% overall and homocysteine levels increased by 3.3µmol/l
or 26%.
The absolute risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, defined as a blood concentration of less then
150pmol/l, was 7.2% higher in the metformin group than in the placebo group.
Professor Coen Stehouwer, chair of internal medicine at Maastricht University, concluded: ‘Long term
treatment with metformin increases the risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, which results in raised
homocysteine concentration.
‘Vitamin B12 deficiency is preventable, therefore our findings suggest that regular measurement of
vitamin B12 concentrations during long term metformin treatment should be strongly considered.’
BMJ published online 21 May
Metformin (INN ) (pronounced
/mɛtˈfɔrmɪn/ ; originally sold as
Glucophage) is an oral anti-diabetic drug in the
biguanide class. It is the first-line
drug of choice for the treatment of type 2
diabetes , particularly in overweight
and obese people
and those with normal kidney function.
Pls see the article below. I am amazed how simply they 'ignore' the rise in Homocysteine and
mention it passing.
This is a liver produced hormone and is directly linked with the rise of cholesterol.
The reason is that Homocysteine is extremely corrosive to the internal layer of blood vessels.
When it causes the damage, cholesterol is used by the body to create a smooth layer whilst healing
takes place underneath.
This link has been known since late 60's - but the guy who wrote about it lost his labs in an
exactly the same way as Jacque Beneviste lost his labs in France.
One simple way to reduce Homocysteine and consequently cholesterol is to eat lots of green
vegetables. There is no money in this for the drug companies, but there is plenty in fighting
cholesterol!
(Now where did I hear a similar story before?)
(Rgds
Soroush
http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/story.asp?s ... s_4_020610
Long-term metformin can lead to low vitamin B12
02 Jun 10
By Lilian Anekwe
Long-term metformin therapy can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency in patients with diabetes, according
to a randomised controlled trial in patients with type 2 diabetes.
390 patients with type 2 diabetes
who
receiving insulin therapy were randomised to receiving either 850mg of Metformin
or placebo three times a day for 4.3 years, and the percentage change in their vitamin B12, folate
and homocysteine concentrations from baselines were measured at 4,l 17, 30, 43 and 52 months.
During metformin treatment, vitamin B12 decreased by 89.9pmol/l, or 19%, whereas folate
concentration increased by 0.21nmol/l or 3% overall and homocysteine levels increased by 3.3µmol/l
or 26%.
The absolute risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, defined as a blood concentration of less then
150pmol/l, was 7.2% higher in the metformin group than in the placebo group.
Professor Coen Stehouwer, chair of internal medicine at Maastricht University, concluded: ‘Long term
treatment with metformin increases the risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, which results in raised
homocysteine concentration.
‘Vitamin B12 deficiency is preventable, therefore our findings suggest that regular measurement of
vitamin B12 concentrations during long term metformin treatment should be strongly considered.’
BMJ published online 21 May