Suspected Metformin-induced Cobalamin Deficiency Mimicking Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Authors

Syed Ather Hussain, Rochester Regional HealthFollow
Mohammad Ammad Ud Din, Rochester Regional HealthFollow
Leela Krishna Teja Boppana, Rochester Regional HealthFollow
Ankita Kapoor, Rochester Regional HealthFollow
Saad Jamshed, Rochester Regional HealthFollow

Department

Internal Medicine

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Cureus

Abstract

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) can often be life threatening and requires timely diagnosis and prompt initiation of plasmapharesis. Cobalamin deficiency can closely mimic TTP and distinguishing between the two diseases can prove to be a diagnostic challenge. Previously, cobalamin-related pseudo-TTP has been associated with pernicious anemia, dietary insufficiency and hereditary disorders of cobalamin activation. Here in, we discuss the first case of suspected metformin-induced cobalamin deficiency causing pseudo-TTP. Our patient was a 36-year-old female with type 2 diabetes mellitus on metformin for eight years who presented with hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, schistocytes and mild acute renal failure. The initial impression was TTP; however, further workup revealed very low serum cobalamin levels and elevated methylmalonic acid levels. Apart from metformin use, no other cause of cobalamin deficiency was identified. We recommended upper gastrointestinal endoscopy to definitively rule out pernicious anemia.

First Page

e6921

DOI

10.7759/cureus.6921

Volume

12

Issue

2

Publication Date

3-20-2020

Recommended Citation

Hussain, S. A., Ammad Ud Din, M., Boppana, L., Kapoor, A., & Jamshed, S. (2020). Suspected Metformin-induced Cobalamin Deficiency Mimicking Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura. Cureus, 12 (2), e6921. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.6921