Abstract
A growing body of evidence suggests that ethnicity and race influence vitamin B12 metabolism and status yet clinical awareness of this is poor, causing doubts regarding diagnosis and treatment. Moreover, deficiency and insufficiency cut-offs are universally applied for this test in most diagnostic settings. The objective of this study was to assess serum vitamin B12 concentrations in Black, Asian, and White primary care patients in London, UK, particularly in patients of Black or Black British ethnic origin, and establish if there is a need for specific reference ranges. We found that it is likely that a combination of genetic and acquired/environmental factors are responsible for the ethnic differences in serum B12. This suggests that there is a need for ethnic-specific reference ranges with indications for the incorporation of age and sex too.
Nicola Claire Hood Memorial Award 