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</div><div><span>Pernicious anemia</span></div></div>
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</noscript></div><div class="main"><div id="ency_summary"><p><a test="test" href="./000560.htm">Anemia</a> 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.</p><p>Pernicious anemia is a decrease in red blood cells that occurs when the intestines cannot properly absorb vitamin B12.</p></div><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Causes</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-1" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-1"><p>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. </p><p>A special protein, called intrinsic factor (IF), binds vitamin B12 so that it can be absorbed in the intestines. 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.</p><p>Common causes of pernicious anemia include:</p><ul><li>Weakened stomach lining (atrophic gastritis)</li><li>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. </li></ul><p>In rare cases, 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. </p><p>In adults, symptoms of pernicious anemia are usually not seen until after age 30. The average age of diagnosis is age 60. </p><p>You are more likely to develop this disease if you:</p><ul><li>Are Scandinavian or Northern European</li><li>Have a family history of the condition </li></ul><p>Certain diseases can also raise your risk. They include:</p><ul><li><a test="test" href="./000378.htm">Addison disease</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./000358.htm">Graves disease</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./000385.htm">Hypoparathyroidism</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./000353.htm">Hypothyroidism</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./000712.htm">Myasthenia gravis</a></li><li>Loss of normal function of ovaries before 40 years of age (primary ovarian failure)</li><li><a test="test" href="./000305.htm">Type 1 diabetes</a></li><li>Testicular dysfunction</li><li><a test="test" href="./000831.htm">Vitiligo</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./000456.htm">Sjögren syndrome</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./000371.htm">Hashimoto disease</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./000233.htm">Celiac disease</a></li></ul><p>Pernicious anemia can also occur after gastric bypass surgery.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Symptoms</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-2" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-2"><p>Some people do not have symptoms. Symptoms may be mild. </p><p>They may include:</p><ul><li><a test="test" href="./003126.htm">Diarrhea</a> or constipation</li><li>Nausea</li><li>Vomiting</li><li><a test="test" href="./003088.htm">Fatigue</a>, lack of energy, or lightheadedness when standing up or with exertion</li><li><a test="test" href="./003121.htm">Loss of appetite</a></li><li>Pale skin (mild jaundice)</li><li><a test="test" href="./003075.htm">Shortness of breath</a>, mostly during exercise</li><li>Heartburn</li><li>Swollen, red tongue or bleeding gums </li></ul><p>If you have a low vitamin B12 level for a long time, you can have nervous system damage. Symptoms may include:</p><ul><li><a test="test" href="./003205.htm">Confusion</a></li><li>Short-term memory loss</li><li><a test="test" href="./003213.htm">Depression</a></li><li>Loss of balance</li><li>Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet </li><li>Problems concentrating</li><li>Irritability</li><li><a test="test" href="./003258.htm">Hallucinations</a></li><li>Delusions</li><li><a test="test" href="./001622.htm">Optic nerve atrophy</a></li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Exams and Tests</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-3" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-3"><p>Your health care provider will perform a physical exam. Tests that may be done include: </p><ul><li><a test="test" href="./003642.htm">Complete blood count (CBC)</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./003637.htm">Reticulocyte count</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./003471.htm">Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)</a> level</li><li><a test="test" href="./003479.htm">Serum bilirubin</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./003565.htm">Serum methylmalonic acid (MMA</a>) level</li><li><a test="test" href="./001199.htm">Homocysteine level (amino acid found in blood)</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./003705.htm">Serum vitamin B12 level</a></li><li>Levels of antibodies against IF or the cells that make IF </li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Treatment</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-4" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-4"><p>The goal of treatment is to increase your vitamin B12 level: </p><ul><li>Treatment involves a shot of vitamin B12 once a month. People with severely low levels of B12 may need more shots in the beginning.</li><li>Some people may be adequately treated by taking large doses of vitamin B12 supplements by mouth.</li><li>A certain type of vitamin B12 may be given through the nose. </li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Outlook (Prognosis)</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-5" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-5"><p>Most people often do well with treatment.</p><p>It is important to start treatment early. Nerve damage can be permanent if treatment does not start within 6 months of symptoms. </p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Possible Complications</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-6" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-6"><p>People with pernicious anemia may have gastric polyps. They are also more likely to develop <a test="test" href="./000223.htm">gastric cancer</a> and gastric carcinoid tumors.</p><p>People with pernicious anemia are more likely to have fractures of the back, upper leg, and upper forearm.</p><p>Brain and nervous system problems may continue or be permanent if treatment is delayed.</p><p>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.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>When to Contact a Medical Professional</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-7" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-7"><p>Contact your provider if you have symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Prevention</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-8" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-8"><p>There is no known way to prevent this type of vitamin B12 anemia. However, early detection and treatment can help reduce complications.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Alternative Names</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-Alt" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-Alt"><p>Macrocytic achylic anemia; Congenital pernicious anemia; Juvenile pernicious anemia; Vitamin B12 deficiency (malabsorption); Anemia - intrinsic factor; Anemia - IF; Anemia - atrophic gastritis; Biermer anemia; Addison anemia</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section sec-mb"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Images</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-tnails" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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<li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/1214t.jpg" alt="Megaloblastic anemia - view of red blood cells" title="Megaloblastic anemia - view of red blood cells" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/1214.htm">Megaloblastic anemia - view of red blood cells</a></li>
</ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>References</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-Ref" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-Ref"><p>Antony AC. Megaloblastic anemias. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, et al, eds. <em>Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice.</em> 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 40.</p><p>Anusha V. Pernicious anemia/megaloblastic anemia. In: Kellerman RD, Rakel DP, Heidelbaugh JJ, Lee EM, eds. <em>Conn's Current Therapy 2024</em>. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:491-493.</p><p>Elghetany MT, Banki K. Erythrocytic disorders. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. <em>Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods</em>. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 33.</p><p>Means Jr. RT. Approach to the anemias. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. <em>Goldman-Cecil Medicine</em>. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 144.</p><p>Stabler SP. Megaloblastic anemias. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. <em>Goldman-Cecil Medicine</em>. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 150.</p></div></div></section>
<section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Review Date 3/31/2024</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-version" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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<div id="section-version" class="section-body"><p>Updated by: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists &amp; Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. </p>
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