Prevalence of Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Hypothyroid Patients

Muhammad Siddique; Muhammad Akhtar Parvez; Humaira Zafar; Awais Mustafa; Anam Shafi

doi:10.29054/apmc/2017.206

Muhammad Siddique Medical Officer Services Hospital Lahore
Muhammad Akhtar Parvez Assistant Professor, Community Medicine, Punjab Medical College, Faisalabad
Humaira Zafar Women Medical Officer Services Hospital Lahore
Awais Mustafa Medical Officer Services Hospital Lahore
Anam Shafi House Officer Services Hospital Lahore

DOI: https://doi.org/10.29054/apmc/2017.206

Keywords: Hypothyroidism, Vitamin B12 deficiency, Anemia, Pernicious Anemia, Cobalamin deficiency, Fatigue

Abstract

Background: There is controversial data regarding prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in hypothyroid patients. Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in hypothyroid patients. Study design: Cross sectional Survey. Setting: The study was conducted at Medicine / Endocrinology department Services Hospital Lahore. Period: Study was completed in six months from 26^th February to 25^th August 2015. Methodology: 225 hypothyroid patients from IPD & OPD with age range of 30-70 years of either sex willing to participate in study were included in study. Estimation of serum vitamin B12 was carried out. Cutoff value for vitamin B12 was taken <148 pmol/L. Results: 225 patients were included in our sampled population with mean age 47.15 ± 7.210 ranging from 40 to 66 years of age. 103 patients (45.8%) were female and rest of 122 (54.2%) were males. In our study 54 patients (24%) had Vitamin B12 Deficiency and rest of 171 (76%) showed negative results. Female gender, malnutrition, lower BMI and socioeconomic status were risk factors linked with vitamin B12 deficiency. While age was not among the risk factors. Conclusion: It is concluded that prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency is high 24% in Pakistani patients with hypothyroidism. Female patients with malnutrition and lower BMI should be screened periodically to reduce the complications associated with vitamin B12 deficiency.