Learn more about participating in a clinical trial. View all trials from ClinicalTrials. Visit Children and Clinical Studies to hear experts, parents, and children talk about their experiences with clinical research. Pernicious Anemia. What Is - Pernicious Anemia. This article discusses pernicious anemia due to a lack of intrinsic factor and other causes. Overview Pernicious anemia is a type of anemia. Other Names - Pernicious Anemia.
Vitamin B12 deficiency also is called cobalamin deficiency and combined systems disease. Causes - Pernicious Anemia. Lack of Intrinsic Factor Intrinsic factor is a protein made in the stomach. Other Causes Pernicious anemia also has other causes, besides a lack of intrinsic factor. Malabsorption in the Small Intestine Sometimes pernicious anemia occurs because the body's small intestine can't properly absorb vitamin B This may be the result of: Too many of the wrong kind of bacteria in the small intestine.
This is a common cause of pernicious anemia in older adults. The bacteria use up the available vitamin B12 before the small intestine can absorb it. Diseases that interfere with vitamin B12 absorption. One example is celiac disease. This is a genetic disorder in which your body can't tolerate a protein called gluten. Another example is Crohn's disease, an inflammatory bowel disease.
HIV also may interfere with vitamin B12 absorption. Certain medicines that alter bacterial growth or prevent the small intestine from properly absorbing vitamin B Examples include antibiotics and certain diabetes and seizure medicines.
Surgical removal of part or all of the small intestine. A tapeworm infection. The tapeworm feeds off of the vitamin B Eating undercooked, infected fish may cause this type of infection. Diet Lacking Vitamin B12 Some people get pernicious anemia because they don't have enough vitamin B12 in their diets.
Good food sources of vitamin B12 include: Breakfast cereals with added vitamin B12 Meats such as beef, liver, poultry, and fish Eggs and dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese Foods fortified with vitamin B12, such as soy-based beverages and vegetarian burgers Strict vegetarians who don't eat any animal or dairy products and don't take a vitamin B12 supplement are at risk for pernicious anemia.
Risk Factors - Pernicious Anemia. You're at higher risk for pernicious anemia if you: Have a family history of the condition. Have had part or all of your stomach surgically removed. The stomach makes intrinsic factor. This protein helps your body absorb vitamin B Have an autoimmune disorder that involves the endocrine glands, such as Addison's disease, type 1 diabetes, Graves' disease, or vitiligo. Research suggests a link may exist between these autoimmune disorders and pernicious anemia that's caused by an autoimmune response.
Have had part or all of your small intestine surgically removed. The small intestine is where vitamin B12 is absorbed. Have certain intestinal diseases or other disorders that may prevent your body from properly absorbing vitamin B Examples include Crohn's disease, intestinal infections, and HIV.
Take medicines that prevent your body from properly absorbing vitamin B Examples of such medicines include antibiotics and certain seizure medicines. Are a strict vegetarian who doesn't eat any animal or dairy products and doesn't take a vitamin B12 supplement, or if you eat poorly overall. Screening and Prevention - Pernicious Anemia. Signs, Symptoms, and Complications - Pernicious Anemia.
Signs and Symptoms of Anemia The most common symptom of all types of anemia is fatigue tiredness. A smooth, thick, red tongue also is a sign of vitamin B12 deficiency and pernicious anemia. Diagnosis - Pernicious Anemia. Specialists Involved Primary care doctors—such as family doctors, internists, and pediatricians doctors who treat children —often diagnose and treat pernicious anemia.
Other kinds of doctors also may be involved, including: A neurologist nervous system specialist A cardiologist heart specialist A hematologist blood disease specialist A gastroenterologist digestive tract specialist Medical and Family Histories Your doctor may ask about your signs and symptoms.
He or she also may ask: Whether you've had any stomach or intestinal surgeries Whether you have any digestive disorders, such as celiac disease or Crohn's disease About your diet and any medicines you take Whether you have a family history of anemia or pernicious anemia Whether you have a family history of autoimmune disorders such as Addison's disease, type 1 diabetes, Graves' disease, or vitiligo.
Physical Exam During the physical exam, your doctor may check for pale or yellowish skin and an enlarged liver. Diagnostic Tests and Procedures Blood tests and procedures can help diagnose pernicious anemia and find out what's causing it. Other Blood Tests If the CBC results confirm that you have anemia, you may need other blood tests to find out what type of anemia you have. Your doctor may recommend other blood tests to check: Your vitamin B12 level.
Up to 50 percent of adults with a vitamin B deficiency may have pernicious anemia. The body needs vitamin B to produce red blood cells. Being deficient in vitamin B means the body is unable to make enough red blood cells. Red blood cells help carry oxygen around the body, and the body needs oxygen to function properly.
This shortage is what causes the symptoms of pernicious anemia. Pernicious anemia is one type of vitamin B anemia. It is a condition caused by a problem with the immune system. There are a number of other types of vitamin B deficiency anemia, which have different causes.
This name comes from the type of red blood cells or megaloblasts produced when a person is vitamin-B12 deficient. Megaloblasts are an abnormally large type of red blood cell. A protein called intrinsic factor helps a person absorb vitamin B in the gut. The stomach makes intrinsic factor. However, people with pernicious anemia release an antibody in error. This antibody attacks the cells in the stomach that make intrinsic factor. This autoimmune reaction may reduce or stop its production.
A lack of intrinsic factor means the gut cannot absorb vitamin B from food. The body cannot make enough red blood cells without having sufficient vitamin B The doctor may also examine the person. 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. Exams and Tests. The health care provider will perform a physical exam.
The goal of treatment is to increase your vitamin B12 level: Treatment involves a shot of vitamin B12 once a month. People with severely low levels of B12 may need more shots in the beginning. Some people may be adequately treated by taking large doses of vitamin B12 supplements by mouth.
A certain type of vitamin B12 may be given through the nose. Outlook Prognosis. Most people often do well with treatment. Possible Complications. 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.
A dangerous potential complication is gastric cancer. They can monitor you for symptoms of cancer at regular visits and through imaging and biopsies, if needed. Many people with pernicious anemia require lifelong treatment and monitoring. This can help prevent long-term damage from setting in to different body systems.
Talk to your doctor if you think you may have symptoms of pernicious anemia. Early diagnosis, treatment, and close monitoring are important for preventing any future problems. Everyone needs vitamin B, and most people get enough through their diet. But if you take supplements, you might ingest more than your body needs….
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Learn about the effect of B vitamins, diagnosis, and more. Has your doctor advised you to increase your red blood cell count? These supplements and lifestyle changes may help. Red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to your entire body.
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