AbstractVitamin B12 is a neurotropic, water soluble vitamin and is one of the major cause of development of Diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Metformin is known to cause depletion of vitamin B12 stores resulting in its deficiency. Thus Looking at the increased incidence of type 2 Diabetes mellitus, and the increased prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in the Indian population (vegetarian diet being one of the factor) and since the screening of serum vitamin B12 is a bit costly test, according to the result of this study we may arrive to a conclusion regarding supplementation of vitamin B12 for prevention of peripheral neuropathy in diabetes. Long term use of Vitamin B12 supplements in patients will not cause any harm owing to the fact that it being a water soluble vitamin will be excreted in urine if in excess. Biothesiometer is a simple, portable, reliable, non-invasive method to screen the peripheral neuropathy.
Keywords: Vitamin B12; Diabetes mellitus; Metformin Therapy; Biothesiometer.