Vitamin B12 Acceptance and Biomarker Response Study

Acceptance and Biomarker Response With Oral vs. Intramuscular Supplementation of Vitamin B12 in Primary Care

In this study, biomarker response after supplementation with oral and intramuscular vitamin B12 will be compared in a randomized clinical trial. Electronic compliance monitoring will be used to control for non compliance as a possible confounder in oral treatment. Additionally subjective acceptance in terms of presumed preferences will be compared with oral vs. intramuscular supplementation of vitamin B12 in the view of the patient.

Inclusion Criteria:

• General practitioner's prescription for Vitamin B12 deficiency testing
• Age> 18 years
• Ability to give written informed consent
• Vitamin B12 serum concentrations < 200pmol/l
• indication for vitamin B12 supplementation according to the General practitioners estimation

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with incorrect intake of vitamin preparations containing vitamin B12
• Patients with previously diagnosed dementia
• Patients with known hereditary transcobalamin transportation defects
• lack of written and/or oral understanding in German, French, Italian or English languages