DIABETES, METFORMIN & ANAEMIA

Diabetes, Metformin & Anaemia

Table of Contents

Introduction3

Action Plan & Methodology5

Results and data9

Discussion11

References14

Diabetes, Metformin & Anaemia

Introduction

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the most common type of diabetes. In this type either the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the cells of the body are unable to utilize glucose and ignore insulin. Each and every cell of the body requires glucose for energy and insulin is necessary for the body to utilize glucose. Whatever we eat, all sugar and starches are broken down by our body into glucose which is the fundamental fuel for the cells of the body. Insulin is therefore responsible for taking the sugar from the blood into cells. When glucose level starts building up in the blood instead of going into cells it can result in diabetes mellitus.

Metformin is an oral hypoglycaemic agent which is used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus type 2. It helps control blood sugar levels. Metformin is either used alone or in combination with insulin or other medications. It is not a choice of treatment for diabetes mellitus type1.

Vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin. Like other B vitamins it is required for metabolism, formation of red blood cells and maintenance of central nervous system of the body. Vitamin B12 can be stored for years in liver. Once it is utilized by the body the leftover portion gets excreted out of the body through urine. Animal sources of Vitamin B12 are comparatively better absorbed than plant sources. Vitamin B12 deficiency occurs in cases when either the body does not get it or is unable to absorb the required quantity in line with body needs. Low levels of Vitamin B12 can cause anaemia and many other malfunctions and disturbance in the body.

Vitamin B12 is found in animal and plant sources like eggs, soymilk, meat, milk and dairy products, liver, kidney, poultry and Shellfish. The daily requirement of vitamin B12 in the body is only 2.4mcg/day.

Anaemia is a disorder of blood which is characterized by the absence of sufficient normal red blood cells. There are many types of anaemia which are based upon the aetiology. In Megaloblastic anaemia larger than normal blood cells are found in blood. In other words size of red blood cells is larger in megaloblastic anaemia with less quantity of haemoglobin as compared to normal red blood cells. The main function of red blood cells in the body is to carry oxygen to each and every cell, tissue and organ in the body. Metformin causes interference with Vitamin B12 absorption in diabetes mellitus type 2 and may lead to anaemia.

Diabetic patients who develop anaemia may feel weakness, early tiredness and difficulty in carrying out their day to day routine activities. These are more or less the same symptoms as of diabetes mellitus and hence would be difficult to diagnose whether anaemia is causing the symptoms or it is due to diabetes. Pale skin, chest pain, irritability, numbness or coldness in the hands and feet, increased heart rate, headache ...