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DIAGNOSTIC VALUE OF RADIOACTIVE VITAMIN B 12
Author(s) -
PITNEY W. R.,
STOKES J. B.
Publication year - 1958
Publication title -
australasian annals of medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.596
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-5994
pISSN - 0571-9283
DOI - 10.1111/imj.1958.7.2.126
Subject(s) - medicine , vitamin , excretion , urinary system , urine , intrinsic factor , pernicious anaemia , vitamin b , folic acid , absorption (acoustics) , gastroenterology , oral dose , oral administration , nuclear medicine , vitamin b12 , physics , acoustics
Summary The intestinal absorption of orally administered radioactive vitamin B 12 has been studied by a modified urinary excretion test. Subjects were given a standard oral dose of 0.6 microgramme of 60 Co vitamin B 12. The mean 48‐hour urinary radioactivity in 22 control individuals was 23.9% of the oral dose. In five patients with megaloblastic anæmia due to folic acid deficiency, a similar mean excretion of 22 4% was found. In 15 patients with pernicious anæmia in relapse, impaired absorption of radioactive vitamin B 12 was demonstrated. The mean urinary radioactivity was 2.4%. This was increased to 19.6% when the oral dose was given with an intrinsic factor preparation. Twenty‐five patients on maintenance therapy because of a previous diagnosis of pernicious anæmia were studied. The diagnosis was disproved in to patients, who were shown to be able to absorb orally administered radioactive vitamin B 12 normally.