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Vitamin B 12 (cobalamin) deficiency is a common cause of macrocytic anemia and has been implicated in a spectrum of neuropsychiatric disorders.The role of B 12 deficiency in hyperhomocysteinemia and the promotion of atherosclerosis is only now being explored.itamin B 12 deficiency, therefore, can lead to increased levels of serum methylmalonic acid. In the second reaction, homocysteine is converted to methionine by using vitamin B 12 and folic acid as cofactors. In this reaction, a deficiency of vitamin B 12 or folic acid may lead to increased homocysteine levels.
A number of unrelated symptoms can occur in vitamin B12 deficiency. Clinical manifestations of vitamin B12 deficiency include: Hematological changes, such as megaloblastic anemia (characterized by large red blood cells), and a low production of other blood cell types, which is known as pancytopenia. Types of pancytopenia seen in vitamin B12 deficiency include leucopenia (low white blood cell levels), thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), and anemia.