©The Author(s) 2025. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Diabetes. Jul 15, 2025; 16(7): 107514
Published online Jul 15, 2025. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v16.i7.107514
Published online Jul 15, 2025. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v16.i7.107514
Metformin-induced vitamin B12 deficiency: An underdiagnosed cause of diabetic neuropathy
Mauricio Alvarez, Natalia Portilla, Oswaldo Rincon, Isaac Guzman, Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Militar Central, Bogotá 110221, Colombia
Andres E Prieto, Internal Medicine Program, University Militar Nueva Granada, Bogotá 110221, Colombia
Diana Moya, Internal Medicine Program, University de la Sabana, Bogotá 110221, Colombia
Author contributions: Alvarez M, Prieto AE, Portilla N, Moya D, Rincon O, and Guzman I contributed to the preparation of the manuscript and approved its final content.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Mauricio Alvarez, MD, Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Militar Central, Carrera 7a n 94 a 47, Bogotá 110221, Colombia. mauricioalvarez613@gmail.com
Received: March 25, 2025
Revised: April 24, 2025
Accepted: June 11, 2025
Published online: July 15, 2025
Processing time: 112 Days and 12 Hours
Revised: April 24, 2025
Accepted: June 11, 2025
Published online: July 15, 2025
Processing time: 112 Days and 12 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Metformin-induced vitamin B12 deficiency is common in type 2 diabetes and is increasingly linked to diabetic neuropathy. Despite emerging evidence supporting screening and supplementation, major clinical guidelines provide inconsistent recommendations. Given the safety, affordability, and potential benefits of vitamin B12, systematic screening should be prioritized in patients with diabetes at risk of deficiency, especially those with neuropathy.