Understanding Vitamin B12 Deficiency eLearning

Course Aim

To equip healthcare professionals with up-to-date, clinically relevant knowledge on Vitamin B12, focusing on recognition, diagnosis, and evidence-based management of B12 deficiency in various patient populations.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

1. Explain the biological functions of Vitamin B12 and its role in energy metabolism, neurological function, and red blood cell formation.

2. Recognise signs and symptoms of B12 deficiency across age groups and clinical presentations (e.g., fatigue, neuropathy, mood disorders, megaloblastic anemia).

3. Interpret diagnostic test results, including total serum B12, MMA (methylmalonic acid), and homocysteine levels.

4. Identify at-risk groups (e.g., vegans, elderly, gastric bypass patients, those on PPIs/metformin) and implement screening and prevention strategies.

Session Outline

Introduction to B12

• What is Vitamin B12?

• Overview of absorption and metabolism

• Daily requirements & dietary sources

Clinical Importance

• Why B12 matters: neuro, hematologic, metabolic functions

• Risks of untreated deficiency

Causes and Risk Factors

• Nutritional deficiency (e.g., vegan diets)

• Malabsorption syndromes (e.g., pernicious anemia, GI disorders)

• Drug-induced B12 depletion (e.g., PPIs, metformin)

Diagnosis and Testing

• Interpreting bloodwork

• When to order MMA/homocysteine

• Pitfalls in diagnosis (e.g., falsely normal serum B12)

Treatment & Management

• Oral vs. injectable therapy

• Brief Overview of Treatment algorithms

• Monitoring and follow-up

CPD Accreditation

• Eligible for 2 CPD hours. Video recording is one hr

• Certificate of Attendance issued post-session