A Case of Metformin-Related Megaloblastic Anemia Presenting with Palpitation

Long-term metformin treatment is a known pharmacological cause of vitamin B₁₂ deficiency leading to neurological symptoms, megaloblastic anemia and an increase in serum homocysteine concentration. Although decreased levels of serum vitamin B₁₂ occur as early as 3–4 months following metformin use initiation, symptomatic deficiency happens 5–10 years later due to the huge body stores compared to very low daily requirements (1). The prevalence of vitamin B₁₂ deficiency in patients with type 2 diabetes taking metformin is more than twice of those not using metformin (5.8 % vs. 2.4 % respectively), based on a data analysis performed by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES; 1999-2006) on U.S. adults ≥ 50 years of age (2). However, in some studies the prevalence has been reported to be as high as (25.8%)[V3] (3).

The responsible mechanism for metformin-induced vitamin B₁₂ malabsorption has been controversial and may be multifactorial including the competitive inhibition of calcium-dependent absorption in the ileum. Although calcium supplementation decreases the malabsorption, it does not increase serum vitamin B₁₂ levels(1). Likewise in our patient, calcium supplement consumption along with metformin had not been capable of preventing vitamin B₁₂ deficiency. The occurrence of vitamin B₁₂ deficiency depends on the cumulative dose rather than the sole duration of metformin usage (3). Our patient was prescribed 1500 mg/day metformin for 9 years which results in a high cumulative dose. Metformin treatment could also induce decreased serum levels of folate contributing to the disease process and thus folate level should be measured along with vitamin B₁₂ in the initial laboratory examination. Blood samples should be obtained on fasting and before any blood transfusions, because even a single meal or transfusion may normalize the serum concentrations of these two vitamins. In general, serum vitamin B₁₂ concentration 12 deficiency whereas if serum level is >300 pg/mL, deficiency is unlikely; although this could vary depending on the technique used for measurement (1). A serum concentration4 ng/mL, folate deficiency is ruled out. In borderline results (B₁₂=200-300 pg/ml and folate=2-4 ng/ml) increased serum concentrations of their metabolic intermediates (homocysteine and methylmalonic acid) could be helpful in confirming the diagnosis. In vitamin B₁₂ deficiency, the serum levels of both homocysteine and methylmalonic acid are elevated, while in folate deficiency only the serum homocysteine level is elevated (1). The serum vitamin B₁₂ and folate levels in our patient were 201pg/ml and 13ng/ml respectively, so we were convinced that vitamin B₁₂ is deficient and folate deficiency was excluded. Accordingly, we did not measure serum homocysteine and methylmalonic acid concentrations forconfirmation of the diagnosis. If these measurements were performed, it could be helpful for better elucidation of the diagnosis; albeit the diagnosis was later confirmed based on the dramatic response to vitamin B₁₂ supplementation. Worth noting that some other conditions (renal failure and hypothyroidism) and medications (e.g. fibrates and methotrexate) which can affect the serum homocysteine and/or methylmalonic acid levels, should be considered when interpreting the test results. It is also reasonable to exclude other etiologies of vitamin B₁₂ deficiency especially pernicious anemia, food-cobalamin malabsorption syndrome and long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (1).

Our patient did not have any gastro-entrologic symptoms and did not take antacid medications. So, megaloblastic anemia related to metformin-induced vitamin B₁₂ deficiency was considered as the most probable diagnosis. The prevalence of megaloblasticanaemia in diabetic patients taking long-term biguanides has been reported to be (9%)[V4] in a case series. After treatment initiation, the hemoglobin concentration begins to rise within 10 days and usually returns to normal within two months. A delayed response suggests the presence of a concurrent abnormality or an incorrect diagnosis (1). Nevertheless, at two months follow up, all anemia-related laboratory indices of our patient returned to normal (Table 1).

Although it is already known that vitamin B₁₂ deficiency-induced neuropathy precedes the appearance of megaloblastic anemia, our patient did not have any apparent neurological deficits and she presented with the chief complaint of palpitation. The earliest neurological manifestations include newly diagnosed peripheral neuropathy or worsening of a known diabetic neuropathy. Therefore, one should be aware not to misinterpret these conditions with a sole diabetic neuropathy as the misdiagnosis and mismanagement will result in irreversible central and/or peripheral neuronal damage (1).

The other important issue is the additional effects of vitamin B₁₂ deficiency induced hyperhomocysteinemia on peripheral neuropathy and/or cardiovascular risk. Numerous large-scale epidemiological studies have identified hyperhomocysteinemia as a moderate independent cardiovascular risk factor (4). Considering the fact that diabetes is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, increased levels of serum homocysteine may augment the already high cardiovascular disease risk of diabetic patients.

Although annual measurement of serum vitamin B₁₂ level could be considered in patients on long-term metformin therapy, a more practical and cost-effective approach to prevent vitamin B₁₂ deficiency would be an annual injection of 1000 µg vitamin B₁₂ in all such patients (1, 5). Worth noting that oral supplementation with current multivitamins is not effective in its prevention (2).Once the diagnosis of metformin-induced vitamin B₁₂ deficiency is established, treatment should be initiated with parenteral vitamin B₁₂, effectively. Metformin deserves to be continued due to its invaluable effects. We did not withhold metformin in our patient either and anemia was treated successfully with a parenteral regimen of vitamin B₁₂ within two months.

Another issue is the increasing rate of proton-pump inhibitors prescription by many physicians for gastro-esophageal reflux disorders or as primary prevention of gastro-intestinal bleeding for patients under dual antiplatelet therapy following acute coronary syndromes and/or percutaneous coronary interventions.

The combination of these two drugs significantly increases the incidence of vitamin B₁₂ deficiency in diabetic patients (6). Therefore, these patients should be followed closely.

Conclusion

All physicians taking care of diabetic patients need to be more familiar with anti-diabetic medications specially metformin as the first line treatment and its potential adverse effect of vitamin B₁₂ deficiency. One should bear in mind that vitamin B₁₂ deficiency not only leads to megaloblastic anemia as well as neuropsychiatric disorders but also has deleterious effects on cardiovascular health due to iatrogenic hyperhomocysteinemia. Therefore, it is reasonable and cost-effective to prevent vitamin B₁₂ deficiency with an annual injection of 1000 µg vitamin B₁₂ in all diabetic patients taking long term metformin.