All of the above make the task of diagnosing patients as being deficient in vitamin B12 often very difficult. Further Reading: Books about Pernicious Anaemia.
References Andres E, Serraj K. Optimal management of pernicious anemia. Do we need to reconsider the desirable blood level of vitamin B12? Harrington : Vitamin B12 status in health and disease: a critical review. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Visit Cookie settings to provide a controlled consent. Read More. Close Privacy Overview This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website.
Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The two are then absorbed in the last part of your small intestine.
Diseases within the small intestine can cause deficiency of vitamin B deficiency. If one has the ileum portion of the small intestine surgically removed, vitamin B deficiency can also occur.
Disruption within the normal flora bacteria of the small intestine may also lead to vitamin B deficiency. Antibiotics may cause a deficiency of bacteria needed to maintain proper intestinal absorption.
Other people may have too many small intestinal bacteria that cause malabsorption and a deficiency of vitamin B, as well.
Other vitamin B deficiencies, such as that caused by poor dietary intake, are often confused with pernicious anemia. Pernicious anemia is mainly thought to be an autoimmune disorder that hurts the parietal cells in the stomach. It results in a lack of IF production and poor B absorption.
However, pernicious anemia may also have a genetic component to it as well, potentially running in families. There are also children with pernicious anemia who are born with a genetic defect that prevents them from making IF.
Pernicious anemia and anemia due to small intestinal malabsorption can be treated with an intramuscular B injection by your physician. High dose oral vitamin B supplementation may be an effective option for some people with pernicious anemia, as well. In people with vitamin B deficiency anemia where the body can absorb B, oral vitamin B supplementation and diet adjustments may be an effective treatment.
Your doctor will usually need to do several tests to diagnose you with pernicious anemia. These include:. In a healthy immune system, antibodies are responsible for finding bacteria or viruses. They then mark the invading germs for destruction. In this case, autoantibodies destroy the stomachs cells that make IF. The treatment for pernicious anemia is a two-part process.
Your doctor will treat any existing vitamin B deficiency. Vitamin B injections can be given daily or weekly until the B levels return to normal or close to normal. During the first few weeks of treatment, your doctor may recommend limiting physical activity. After your vitamin B levels are normal, you may only need to get the shot once per month.
You may be able to administer the shots yourself or have someone else give them to you at home to save you trips to the doctor. After your B level is normal, your doctor may recommend you take oral doses of B supplements instead of the injection. However, depending on how deficient you are in intrinsic factor, where you then may have poor intestinal absorption of vitamin B due to this, you may require vitamin B injections as your sole treatment of pernicious anemia.
Your doctor will likely want to see you on a long-term basis. This will help them identify possible serious effects of pernicious anemia. Antony AC. Megaloblastic anemias. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Anusha V. Conn's Current Therapy Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; Erythrocytic disorders. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; chap Means RT. Approach to the anemias. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
Editorial team. Pernicious anemia. Common causes of pernicious anemia include: Weakened stomach lining atrophic gastritis An autoimmune condition in which the body's immune system attacks the actual intrinsic factor protein or the cells in the lining of your stomach that make it. You are more likely to develop this disease if you: Are Scandinavian or Northern European Have a family history of the condition Certain diseases can also raise your risk.
Some people do not have symptoms. Symptoms may be mild. They can include: Diarrhea or constipation Nausea Vomiting Fatigue , lack of energy, or lightheadedness when standing up or with exertion Loss of appetite Pale skin mild jaundice Shortness of breath , mostly during exercise Heartburn Swollen, red tongue or bleeding gums If you have a low vitamin B12 level for a long time, you can have nervous system damage.
Symptoms can include: Confusion Short-term memory loss Depression Loss of balance Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet Problems concentrating Irritability Hallucinations Delusions Optic nerve atrophy.
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