MEDizzy - A 71-year-old man complained to his physician of tiredness,

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Drugs for Hematopoietic Disorders

A 71-year-old man complained to his physician of tiredness, breathlessness, and fatigue. Four years earlier, the patient had undergone total gastrectomy for advanced Zollinger−Ellison syndrome. A blood analysis showed megaloblastic anemia. Which of the following statements best explains why folic acid supplementation would be contraindicated in this patient?

ExplanationThe patient’s megaloblastic anemia was most likely due to vitamin B12 deficiency resulting from the previous total gastrectomy. Administration of folic acid can correct the anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency but does not prevent the potentially irreversible neurologic damage caused by vitamin B12 deficiency. In this patient, treatment with folic acid would mask the hematologic signs of anemia, thus increasing the risk of neurologic symptoms due to undiagnosed vitamin B12 deficiency.