Researchers have long thought that a popular medication used to control blood sugar levels in Type 2 Diabetes, Metformin, could be causing B12 deficiency in some patients, but this was based on short term studies.  A recent study followed 380 Type 2 diabetes patients for 4.3 years and found that the patients’ B12 levels dropped significantly while on the medication, confirming the theory.   B12 is necessary for the body to produce red blood cells.  Without this critical vitamin, Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia will develop due to low red blood cell count.  Symptoms include diarrhea or constipation, fatigue, loss of appetite, pale skin, problems concentrating, difficulty breathing, swollen, red tongue or bleeding gums and even, in long term deficiency nerve damage or dementia.

This new research highlights the need for Type 2 diabetes patients to have their B12 levels monitored, either through an Anemia Panel or with a MicroNutrient test.  The deficiency can easily be corrected with B12 supplements and eating a diet with a lot of foods containing B12 like meat, poultry, shellfish, eggs and dairy products.  If you are currently taking Metformin for Type 2 diabetes you should take action; get tested now to prevent long term damage to your body.

Written by www.labtestingnow.com