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Protein‐bound cobalamin absorption declines in the elderly
Author(s) -
Scarlett John D.,
Read Helen,
O'Dea Kerin
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
american journal of hematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.456
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1096-8652
pISSN - 0361-8609
DOI - 10.1002/ajh.2830390202
Subject(s) - cobalamin , malabsorption , absorption (acoustics) , medicine , endocrinology , gastroenterology , vitamin b12 , physics , acoustics
A modified protein‐bound cobalamin absorption test was used to study dietary cobalamin absorption in healthy adults of different age groups and patients with isolated low serum concentrations of cobalamin. Dietary cobalamin absorption was significantly reduced in healthy adults aged 55‐75 years compared with young adults, with a further reduction in those older than 75 years. No difference was detected between dietary cobalamin absorption in patients with isolated low serum cobalamin and controls of a similar age group. Cobalamin malabsorption was associated with elevated serum gastrin. The diagnostic value of this protein‐bound cobalamin absorption test in the elderly was limited by the frequent finding of reduced absorption in healthy elderly people with normal serum cobalamin concentrations. The performance of such tests should be evaluated in different age groups before application in diagnosis.