Vitamins C, B12 and folic acid in latent iron deficiency]

The aim of the work was to study the level of vitamins C, B12 and folic acid in latent iron deficiency of different etiology (hipo- and anacid gastritis and menorrhagia). 81 patients with latent iron deficiency were investigated. Vitamin C levels were measured by refractometry, folic acid and vitamin B12 by radioimmune assay. The obtained results showed significant decrease of ascorbic acid and less apparent decrease of folic acid in the blood plasma. The content of vitamin B12 was unchanged. Decrease of vitamin C level is related to the changes of initial stages of iron metabolism and its further absorption. Less apparent changes of folic acid and vitamin B12 indicates, that such important stages of erithropoesis as DNA replication and cell proliferation are intact. Our results indicate to the development of metabolic disorders prior to revelation of iron deficiency anaemia, which need timely correction.