vitamin-b-12 and Hypokalemia

A case of megaloblastic anaemia probably caused by malabsorption is analysed. Blood potassium levels were monitored before and during treatment with vitamin B12. It is concluded that low potassium levels in chronically hypoxic patients may be dangerous and that blood potassium should be monitored constantly during the treatment of this type of anaemia.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anemia, Macrocytic; Anemia, Megaloblastic; Humans; Hypokalemia; Male; Vitamin B 12

The case of a 42-year-old man is reported, who on four occasions developed a hypokalaemic periodic paralysis after an intramuscular injection of "Ambene". The detailed examination of this patient shows, that it is the primary, autosomal dominant inherited form of hypokalaemic periodic paralysis, and not the secondary form, which is caused by a renal or gastrointestinal loss of potassium. Clinical and electrophysiological, as well as histopathological and electron microscopic findings are presented, showing the typical vacuolar myopathy with submicroscopic tubular structures. In the literature there is evidence for an increased sensitivity of the muscle membrane to insulin with an increased potassium-shift inside the cell in hypokalaemic periodic paralysis. "Ambene" is a combination, which contains amongst other substances dexamethasone and the local anaesthetic drug lidocain. In the present case the paresis was possibly caused by a combined effect of dexamethasone with a consequent hyperglycaemia and lidocain with a change in the excitability of the muscle membrane. The pathophysiological mechanism of hypokalaemic periodic paralysis is discussed in terms of the release by the combination of these two drugs. It has not previously been reported that "Ambene" can provoke a hypokalaemic periodic paralysis. This is a severe side effect because of the resulting cardiac and respiratory problems.

Topics: Adult; Aminopyrine; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Back Pain; Dexamethasone; Drug Combinations; Humans; Hypokalemia; Injections, Intramuscular; Male; Muscles; Paralyses, Familial Periodic; Phenylbutazone; Potassium; Thiamine; Vitamin B 12

During the period from 1971 to 1981 in 145 patients (108 adults and 37 children) partial resections of the intestine were practiced (in the surgical clinic of the Friedrich-Schiller-University, Jena). Fatality on the whole was about 25%. The surgical intervention with an extensive resection (more than 150 cm) was well tolerated by seven among 13 patients. Even in cases of shorter resections disturbances of resorption could be found especially for carbohydrates and vitamin B 12. Control examinations are necessary and therapeutic consequences have to be drawn.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Child; Child, Preschool; Dietary Fats; Female; Humans; Hypokalemia; Infant, Newborn; Intestinal Obstruction; Intestine, Small; Malabsorption Syndromes; Male; Mesenteric Vascular Occlusion; Middle Aged; Peptic Ulcer; Postoperative Complications; Vitamin B 12; Xylose

Topics: Achlorhydria; Adenoma, Islet Cell; Blood Glucose; Calcium; Dehydration; Diarrhea; Gastric Juice; Gastrointestinal Hormones; Humans; Hypokalemia; Pancreatic Juice; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Syndrome; Vitamin B 12

Topics: Adenoma, Islet Cell; Bicarbonates; Celiac Disease; Diarrhea; Duodenum; Feces; Female; Gastric Juice; Humans; Hyperplasia; Hypokalemia; Intestinal Secretions; Malabsorption Syndromes; Middle Aged; Pancreas; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Pancreatitis; Potassium; Precancerous Conditions; Vitamin B 12

Topics: Adult; Anemia; Autoanalysis; Blood Cell Count; Blood Proteins; Blood Urea Nitrogen; Body Weight; Chlorides; Fasting; Female; Headache; Hematocrit; Hemoglobins; Humans; Hypokalemia; Hyponatremia; Ketone Bodies; Malabsorption Syndromes; Male; Nausea; Obesity; Time Factors; Uric Acid; Vitamin B 12; Vitamins; Water-Electrolyte Balance

Topics: Anemia, Hypochromic; Avitaminosis; Body Weight; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Diarrhea; Disaccharides; Edema; Feces; Folic Acid; Glucose; Humans; Hypocalcemia; Hypokalemia; Hypoproteinemia; Intestinal Absorption; Intestine, Small; Iron; Malabsorption Syndromes; Vitamin A; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin K; Xylose

Topics: Anemia; Anemia, Macrocytic; Blood Chemical Analysis; Bronchi; Bronchial Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Celiac Disease; Feces; Fluids and Secretions; Folic Acid; Folic Acid Deficiency; Humans; Hypokalemia; Hypoproteinemia; Jejunum; Lipid Metabolism; Malabsorption Syndromes; Pathology; Urine; Vitamin B 12