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Abstract

Background: Vitamin B12 is also known as cobalamin and is a hydrophilic vitamin, it is involved in metabolism of every cell of the  body. It is a cofactor in DNA synthesis RNA, hormones, proteins, and lipids, and in both fatty acid and amino acid metabolism. Low  levels of serum vitamin B12 may trigger pain in patients suffering from trigeminal neuralgia. Methylcobalamin, a form of Vitamin  B12, protects against neurological diseases and aging. Mauro showed that high doses of methylcobalamin are needed to  regenerate neurons as well as the myelin sheath that protects nerve axons and the peripheral nerves.Objective: The prime focus of this study was to report the frequency of low serum Vitamin B12 level in Identified Trigeminal  Neuralgia patients visiting Peshawar Dental College and Hospital and to find the effect of gender on low serum vitamin B12 levels.Methods: A total of 90 known trigeminal neuralgia patients seeking treatment at the Department of Oral Medicine, Peshawar  Dental College and Hospital were enrolled. All patients were advised to carry out serum Vitamin B12 level in laboratory. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 19. The statistical significance was set up at p <0.05.Results: Out of 90 known trigeminal neuralgia patients, 58.8% were females and 41.1% were males. 43.3% females and 27.0%males had low serum Vitamin B12 levels. No statistical significant difference between gender and low serum vitamin B12 level was found.Conclusions: Study confirms that gender has no effect on low serum levels of B12 in trigeminal neuralgia patients and a highproportion of trigeminal neuralgia patients had a low serum vitamin B12 levels.