Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
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 is present at
birth.
Pernicious anemia is a form of megaloblastic anemia. Megaloblastic anemia is
characterized by an abnormally large type 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.
Must Read Articles Related to Pernicious Anemia (Vitamin B-12 Deficiency)
AnemiaAnemia 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 >>
