Malabsorption of folic acid following partial gastrectomy
Elsborg, L.
Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology 9(3): 271-274
1974
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-5521 PMID: 4853072 Document Number: 79128
In 40 gastrectomy patients whose diets were adequate, serum folacin ranged from 0.9 to 18.0 ng/ml; the test of folic acid excretion in urine indicated that intestinal absorption was reduced in 14 patients, of whom 6 had serum folacin values below 2.0 ng/ml and 8 had normal values. Although there may be malabsorption of folic acid after gastrectomy, it is suggested that in some patients the deficit is compensated by folacin synthesis in the small intestine.