Assessment of Folate and Vitamin Bi2 Nutritional Status

A number of methods have been developed to permit assessment of folate and vitamin Bi2 nutritionEd status Etnd to differentiate between deficiency of the vi-tEimins Eis a cause of megEdoblcistic Etnemia. Obviously, detection of antibodies to intrinsic factor or gastric peirietEd ceUs will confirm autoimmune pernicious Ememia rather tiiEtn nutritioned deficiency of either vitEimin. 

In addition to the methods described here, measurement of urinary ac-etamido p-aminohenzojd glutamate will reflect folate turnover (Section 10.2.3) and incorporation of uracil, instead of thymidine into the DNA in leukocytes or lymphocytes may provide a sensitive index of folate status. 

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