Vitamin B12 Assessment and Intervention in Younger Adult Women

Vitamin B12 deficiency is occurring in younger adults at rates that parallel that of the elderly. This study evaluated the efficacy of vitamin B12 supplementation through either cereal (> 4 serv/wk 100% DV) or B12 supplement (1000 mcg/d) in 137 women identified at time of annual exam as having low-normal plasma B12 level (200-250 pg/ml). Significant (p < 0.05) increases in mean plasma vitamin B12 was observed in all subjects after 3 months of either type of supplementation. Subjects whose baseline B12 status was < 200 pg/ml did not increase B12 levels to the 250 pg/ml benchmark. Nurse practitioners are positioned to effectively prevent the risk of vitamin B12 deficiency in younger adult patients.