Pernicious Anemia
(Vitamin B-12 Deficiency)

1. Take the Blood Disorders Quiz
2. Caring for Wounds Slideshow
3. Cancer 101 Slideshow Pictures

• What is Pernicious Anemia (Vitamin B-12 Deficiency)?
• Pernicious Anemia Causes
• Pernicious Anemia Symptoms
• When to Seek Medical Care for Pernicious Anemia (Vitamin B-12 Deficiency)
• Exams and Tests for Pernicious Anemia (Vitamin B-12 Deficiency)
• Pernicious Anemia Treatment
• Self-Care at Home fo Pernicious Anemia (Vitamin B-12 Deficiency)
• Medical Treatment fo Pernicious Anemia (Vitamin B-12 Deficiency)
• Pernicious Anemia (Vitamin B-12 Deficiency) Medication
• Pernicious Anemia (Vitamin B-12 Deficiency) Follow-up
• Pernicious Anemia (Vitamin B-12 Deficiency) Prevention
• Pernicious Anemia (Vitamin B-12 Deficiency) Outlook
• Read more on Pernicious Anemia (Vitamin B-12 Deficiency) from Healthwise

• Pernicious anemia is a type of anemia (reduced number of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the body) due to the body's inability to absorb vitamin B-12 from the gastrointestinal tract.
• Symptoms from anemia are a result of the decreased capacity of the blood to carry oxygen and include fatigue and shortness of breath. In addition, the deficiency of vitamin B-12 also can damage the nervous system.
• Vitamin B-12 is also known as cobalamin (Cbl). Animal products, both meat and dairy, are the only dietary sources of vitamin B-12 for humans. Because the body has stores of vitamin B-12, inadequate dietary intake must persist for years before a true deficiency of vitamin B-12 occurs.
• For this reason, the pernicious anemia usually takes years to establish and is most commonly diagnosed in adults with an average age of 60.
• Also, a rare, form of pernicious anemia called congenital pernicious anemia is present at birth.
• Pernicious anemia is a form of megaloblastic anemia. Megaloblastic anemia is characterized by an abnormally large size of red blood cell (megaloblast) that is formed by the bone marrow when vitamin B-12 or folic acid levels are low.
• Megaloblastic anemia can also develop with other conditions that affect the bone marrow and as an effect of some chemotherapy drugs.
• Bacterial overgrowth in the gastrointestinal tract can also cause a lack of B-12.

Must Read Articles Related to Pernicious Anemia (Vitamin B-12 Deficiency)

Anemia Anemia can be caused by many conditions and diseases such as iron deficiency, poor diet and nutrition, cancers, bone marrow problems, and more. Symptoms of anem...learn more >>

Dementia Overview

Dementia is the loss of reasoning, memory, and other mental abilities. learn more >>

See the Entire Pernicious Anemia (Vitamin B-12 Deficiency) Topic Guide »