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Diagnosing Vitamin B12 Deficiency and Cancer [38] If cancer is suspected as the cause of vitamin B12 deficiency, several diagnostic steps are necessary: Blood Tests: A simple blood test can measure vitamin B12 levels, along with other markers such as homocysteine and methylmalonic acid, which may also indicate a deficiency.
Pancytopenia – when all three types of blood cells; red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, are all deficient. This is a life-threatening disorder that is a characteristic of aplastic anemia. [3] There are also two general causes of cytopenia: autoimmune and refractory.
The anticonvulsant drug, lamotrigine, has been associated with a decrease in white blood cell count. [ 2 ] The FDA monograph for metronidazole states that this medication can also cause leukopenia, and the prescriber information suggests a complete blood count, including differential cell count, before and after, in particular, high-dose therapy.
Neuropsychiatric symptoms can precede hematological signs and are often the presenting manifestation of the disease. [55] Vitamin B 12 serum levels are used to detect its deficiency, but do not distinguish its causes. Vitamin B 12 levels can be falsely high or low and data for sensitivity and specificity vary widely.
Bone marrow suppression is a serious side effect of chemotherapy and certain drugs affecting the immune system such as azathioprine. [2] The risk is especially high in cytotoxic chemotherapy for leukemia. In the case of non-small-cell lung cancer, myelosuppression predisposition was shown to be modulated by enhancer mutations. [3]
Over time, a deficiency of B12 can cause problems with balance, confusion, depression, poor memory and possibly dementia, and it can even cause permanent damage to the nervous system, Somers says.
Patients with neutropenia caused by cancer treatment can be given antifungal drugs. A Cochrane review [ 48 ] found that lipid formulations of amphotericin B had fewer side effects than conventional amphotericin B, though it is not clear whether there are particular advantages over conventional amphotericin B if given under optimal circumstances.
As a supplement it is used to treat vitamin B12 deficiency including pernicious anemia. [1] [2] Other uses include treatment for cyanide poisoning, Leber's optic atrophy, and toxic amblyopia. [3] [4] It is given by injection into a muscle or vein, [2] by pill or sublingually. Side effects are generally few. [2]