Locations Main Campus: Chesterfield, MO 63017   |   Locations
314-434-1500 314-434-1500   |   Contact Us

Multimedia Encyclopedia

BACK
TO
TOP
 
E-mail Form
Email Results

 
 
Print-Friendly
Bookmarks
bookmarks-menu

Pernicious anemia

Macrocytic achylic anemia; Congenital pernicious anemia; Juvenile pernicious anemia; Vitamin B12 deficiency (malabsorption); Anemia - intrinsic factor; Anemia - IF; Anemia - atrophic gastritis

 

Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues. There are many types of anemia.

Pernicious anemia is a decrease in red blood cells that occurs when the intestines cannot properly absorb vitamin B12.

Causes

 

Pernicious anemia is a type of vitamin B12 anemia. The body needs vitamin B12 to make red blood cells. You get this vitamin from eating foods such as meat, poultry, shellfish, eggs, and dairy products.

A special protein, called intrinsic factor (IF), helps your intestines absorb vitamin B12. This protein is released by cells in the stomach. When the stomach does not make enough intrinsic factor, the intestine cannot properly absorb vitamin B12.

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.

Very rarely, pernicious anemia is passed down through families. This is called congenital pernicious anemia. Babies with this type of anemia do not make enough intrinsic factor. Or they cannot properly absorb vitamin B12 in the small intestine.

In adults, symptoms of pernicious anemia are usually not seen until after age 30. The average age of diagnosis is age 60.

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. They include:

  • Addison disease
  • Chronic thyroiditis
  • Graves disease
  • Hypoparathyroidism
  • Hypopituitarism
  • Myasthenia gravis
  • Secondary amenorrhea
  • Type 1 diabetes
  • Testicular dysfunction
  • Vitiligo

 

Symptoms

 

Some people do not have symptoms. Symptoms may be mild.

They can include:

  • Desire to eat ice or other non-food things ( pica )
  • Diarrhea or constipation
  • Fatigue , lack of energy, or lightheadedness when standing up or with exertion
  • Loss of appetite
  • Pale skin
  • Problems concentrating
  • Shortness of breath , mostly during exercise
  • 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
  • Depression
  • Loss of balance
  • Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet

 

Exams and Tests

 

The health care provider will perform a physical exam. Tests that may be done include:

  • Bone marrow examination (only needed if diagnosis is unclear)
  • Complete blood count (CBC)
  • Reticulocyte count
  • Schilling test
  • LDH level
  • Methylmalonic acid ( MMA ) level
  • Vitamin B12 level
  • Levels of antibodies against IF or the cells which make IF

 

Treatment

 

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 also need to take vitamin B12 supplements by mouth.
  • A certain type of vitamin B12 may be given through the nose.

Your provider will also recommend eating a variety of foods.

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

Most people often do well with treatment.

It is important to start treatment early. Nerve damage can be permanent if treatment does not start within 6 months of symptoms.

 

Possible Complications

 

People with pernicious anemia may have gastric polyps. They are also more likely to develop gastric cancer and gastric carcinoid tumors.

Brain and nervous system problems may continue or be permanent if treatment is delayed.

A woman with a low B12 level may have a false positive Pap smear. This is because vitamin B12 deficiency affects the way certain cells (epithelial cells) in the cervix look.

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

Call your provider if you have symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency.

 

Prevention

 

There is no known way to prevent this type of vitamin B12 anemia. However, early detection and treatment can help reduce complications.

 

 

Open References

References

Antony AC. Megaloblastic anemias. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ Jr, Silberstein LE, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2013:chap 37.

Bunn HF. Approach to the anemias. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 158.

 
  • Megaloblastic anemia - view of red blood cells

    Megaloblastic anemia - view of red blood cells - illustration

    This picture shows large, dense, oversized, red blood cells (RBCs) that are seen in megaloblastic anemia. Megaloblastic anemia can occur when there is a deficiency of vitamin B-12.

    Megaloblastic anemia - view of red blood cells

    illustration

    • Megaloblastic anemia - view of red blood cells

      Megaloblastic anemia - view of red blood cells - illustration

      This picture shows large, dense, oversized, red blood cells (RBCs) that are seen in megaloblastic anemia. Megaloblastic anemia can occur when there is a deficiency of vitamin B-12.

      Megaloblastic anemia - view of red blood cells

      illustration

    A Closer Look

     

    Self Care

     

      Tests for Pernicious anemia

       
       

      Review Date: 2/1/2016

      Reviewed By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

      The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

       
       
       

       

       

      A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.



      Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.