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  • Title: The effect of oral contraceptives in Malaysians: II. folate and vitamin B12 metabolism.
    Author: Jaffar A, Khalid H, Hamid A, Noor Laily Abu Bakar.
    Journal: Malays J Reprod Health; 1983 Jan; 1(1):69-74. PubMed ID: 12279892.
    Abstract:
    The effect of oral contraceptives (OC) on folate and vitamin B12 levels was studied in a group of 180 women of the 3 ethnic groups in Malaysia attending family planning clinics. These findings confirm previous reports of a drop in serum B12 levels, from a mean of 596.8 pg/ml in the control group to 393.3 pg/ml in women who had been OC users for more than 3 years. The incidence of vitamin B12 deficiency, however, was only 8.0% in the longterm OC users. A significant drop in serum folate levels was seen only in women who had been OC users for more than 3 years; the incidence of folate deficiency, however, increased with the duration of OC therapy. These data justify the need to supplement OC users with folates. Vitamin B12 supplementation does not appear to be indicated. Previous studies have suggested that it is the metabolism, and not the absorption, of folate and vitamin B12 which is affected by OC use.
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