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Failure of response to N5-methyltetrahydrofolate in combined folate and B12 deficiency

Evidence in support of the “folate trap” hypothesis

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Abstract

A patient with combined folate and B12 deficiency due to tropical sprue failed to respond to the administration of N5-methyltetrahydrofolate when given by mouth or intravenously. After the injection of 1 μg of B12 intravenously the patient became asymptomatic and laboratory tests returned to normal. Failure of response to N5-methyltetrahydrofolate in the presence of B12 deficiency is evidence in favor of the “folate trap” hypothesis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Montefiore Hospital and Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210th Street, 10467, Bronx, New York

    Sidney Gutstein MD,  Leslie H. Bernstein MD, Laurence Levy MD & Gail Wagner BS

Authors
  1. Sidney Gutstein MD
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  2. Leslie H. Bernstein MD
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  3. Laurence Levy MD
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  4. Gail Wagner BS
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Additional information

This work was supported by US Army Contract (DADA-17-68-CO8112).

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Gutstein, S., Bernstein, L.H., Levy, L. et al. Failure of response to N5-methyltetrahydrofolate in combined folate and B12 deficiency. Digest Dis Sci 18, 142–146 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01073158

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