Pernicious anemia is a condition in which the body does not make enough red blood cells (erythrocytes) due to a lack of vitamin B₁₂ in the body. It usually occurs in people whose bodies have lost the ability to absorb vitamin B₁₂ from food.

 

Anemia

Pernicious anemia is one of many different types of anemia. Having anemia means you do not have enough healthy red blood cells. When a person has anemia, the blood cannot carry enough oxygen to the cells of the body. The most common symptom of anemia is feeling tired.

 

Pernicious anemia

In pernicious anemia, the blood cells do not divide normally and are too large. They have trouble getting out of the bone marrow. The problem is due to a lack of vitamin B₁₂ in the body. Vitamin B₁₂ is one of the B vitamins; B vitamins are found in animal foods such as meat, fish, eggs, milk, and other dairy products. Vitamin B₁₂ is necessary for the body to make red blood cells. It is also needed for the normal working of the nervous system.

 

People can develop low levels of this important vitamin in three main ways:

 

From the lack of a protein in the stomach that helps the body absorb vitamin B₁₂. The protein is called intrinsic factor. Intrinsic factor is made by special cells in the lining of the stomach. In some people, these cells are destroyed by the body's immune system or as a result of stomach surgery. When this happens, intrinsic factor is not produced and vitamin B₁₂ cannot be absorbed. This is the most common cause of vitamin B₁₂ deficiency.

From not getting enough vitamin B₁₂ in the diet. This can be the result of eating a strict vegetarian diet or a poor diet due to factors such as aging or alcoholism.

From certain intestinal disorders that interfere with the absorption of vitamin B₁₂, such as Crohn's disease and intestinal infections.

 

The condition was named "pernicious" anemia because it was often fatal in the years before the cause was discovered to be a lack of vitamin B₁₂, and no specific treatments were available. Now it is easy to treat with vitamin B₁₂ pills or injections. Pernicious anemia can be severe if it goes on for a long time without being treated. If it is not treated, it can cause permanent damage to the body. Pernicious anemia is especially common in older adults.

 

Effects of pernicious anemia on the body

People who have pernicious anemia often feel tired and weak because the body is not getting enough oxygen. Over time, if untreated, this disease can cause serious problems for the heart, nerves, and other parts of the body.

 

Heart. In people with anemia, the heart has to work harder to pump blood to get enough oxygen to the body's organs and tissues. This stress on the heart can cause heart murmurs (an extra or unusual sound heard during the heartbeat), fast or irregular heartbeats, an enlarged heart, or even heart failure.

 

A lack of vitamin B₁₂ or folic acid (folate) can cause extra problems for the heart because it raises the level in the body of a chemical called homocysteine. High levels of homocysteine add to the buildup of fatty deposits in blood vessels, which in turn can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

 

Nerves. A lack of vitamin B₁₂ can damage nerve cells and cause problems such as tingling and numbness in hands and feet and problems with walking and balance. A vitamin B₁₂ deficiency can cause changes in taste, smell, and vision. Finally, it can cause mental changes, including memory loss and confusion.

 

Digestive tract. A lack of vitamin B₁₂ may change the surface of the tongue and shrink or thin the stomach lining. Any changes that occur in the stomach can put a person at risk for stomach cancer.

 

Outlook

Pernicious anemia is usually easy to treat with vitamin B₁₂ pills or shots, although some people develop permanent nerve damage before they find out they have the disease and get treatment. Since pernicious anemia does increase the risk of developing stomach cancer, doctors may do periodic cancer tests to check for it. Overall, however, people with pernicious anemia who get proper lifelong treatment can have a normal lifespan.

 

Causes

 

Major causes

Pernicious anemia is caused by a lack of vitamin B₁₂ in the body. The main reason for the vitamin B₁₂ deficiency is the loss of parietal cells in the lining of the stomach. These cells make intrinsic factor, which helps the body absorb vitamin B₁₂ in the small intestine. In some people, the body's immune system may attack and destroy the parietal cells. Doctors don't know exactly why or how this happens, or if the immune system produces antibodies in reaction to normally aging or dying parietal cells.

 

As a result of this immune system attack, the stomach lining shrinks, and the parietal cells in the lining of the stomach disappear. The stomach stops producing intrinsic factor. Over time, vitamin B12 deficiency develops.

 

Loss of intrinsic factor can also be due to removal of the stomach lining in various kinds of stomach surgery. This surgery includes removal of all or part of the stomach as well as stomach surgery for weight loss.

 

There is also a rare inherited disorder in which children are born without the ability to produce intrinsic factor.

 

Other causes

Less common causes of pernicious anemia include a diet low in vitamin B₁₂, intestinal problems, and certain medicines.

 

Lack of vitamin B₁₂ in the diet

People can develop pernicious anemia if they don't get enough vitamin B₁₂ in the foods that they eat. This condition takes many years to develop because it takes time to use up the vitamin B₁₂ already stored in the body.

 

Some people who are strict vegetarians can develop pernicious anemia, especially if they do not eat meat, poultry, fish, eggs, or dairy products – the best food sources of vitamin B₁₂. Breastfed infants of strict vegetarian mothers can develop anemia in a short time because they don't have enough vitamin B₁₂ stored in their bodies. They can be given vitamin B₁₂ supplements to prevent this type of anemia.

 

Some people develop pernicious anemia because of a poor diet due to conditions such as alcoholism or aging.

 

Disorders of the small intestine

Some intestinal problems can cause poor absorption of vitamin B₁₂. These problems include:

 

An infection caused by parasites or an overgrowth of bacteria in the intestine

Celiac disease (also known as sprue), a genetic disorder that makes a person unable to tolerate gluten

Crohn's disease, an inflammatory bowel disease

Not enough stomach acid to digest food – a problem that can occur in older adults

 

Medicines

Long-term use of certain medicines may lead to pernicious anemia. Examples of these are medicines that reduce acid in the stomach and certain diabetes medicines (such as metformin, phenformin, and biguanides).

 

Who is at risk?

 

Populations affected

People of all races can develop pernicious anemia. However, people of northern European or African descent have a higher risk than other races and ethnic groups.

 

Men and women in the United States are equally likely to develop the disease. It is more common in older adults than younger people, and it is rare in children.

 

Major risk factors

A person's chances of developing pernicious anemia may be higher if he or she has:

 

A family history of pernicious anemia (blood relatives with the disease)

A disorder such as diabetes or a thyroid problem

An intestinal disorder that keeps the body from absorbing vitamin B₁₂ well

 

Pernicious anemia is more likely to develop in people who do not eat foods high in vitamin B₁₂ for long periods of time. This includes some vegetarians, elderly people, and people with alcoholism.

 

Signs and symptoms

 

Major signs and symptoms

Major signs and symptoms of pernicious anemia are feeling tired and weak and having a bright red, smooth tongue. Common symptoms of nerve damage caused by this disease are tingling and numbness in the hands and feet.

 

Symptoms most often develop slowly over time if the disease is not treated. Some people may experience mental changes and nerve problems before blood tests show that they have anemia. This is more likely to happen in older adults than in younger people.

 

Other signs and symptoms

Other signs and symptoms of pernicious anemia may include pale or yellowish skin, a low-grade fever, and dizziness when standing up. Infants with the condition may show unusual movements or a delayed development and failure to thrive.

 

Signs and symptoms of complications associated with pernicious anemia

Complications seen with pernicious anemia can involve the heart, nerves and brain, and digestive tract. Some of the complications are due to the anemia; others are the effect of a low vitamin B₁₂ level on parts of the body.

Heart

Signs and symptoms of heart problems may include shortness of breath and chest pain. Heart murmurs, a rapid heart rate, and heart failure can develop.

Nerves and brain

In addition to tingling or numbness in the hands and feet, signs and symptoms of problems with the nerves may include difficulty walking, unsteady movement, and loss of balance. There can be changes in vision, taste, and smell. Memory loss, confusion, depression, and even psychosis can develop.

Digestive tract

Signs and symptoms of untreated pernicious anemia can occur all along the digestive track. They can start with a bright red, smooth tongue and may include mouth sores or bleeding gums. The liver could be enlarged. nausea and vomiting may occur, along with a sense of fullness, gas, or heartburn. Changes in bowel habits could include constipation or diarrhea. A person might have a loss of appetite or weight loss.

 

Diagnosis

Pernicious anemia is diagnosed using a person's medical history, physical exam, and tests that can determine the type and cause of anemia. A doctor can use these methods to find out how severe the problem is, its cause, and the appropriate treatment. Mild to moderate anemia may have no signs or symptoms. In fact, anemia is often discovered unexpectedly on screening tests.

 

Specialists involved

Primary care doctors, such as a family doctor, often diagnose and treat pernicious anemia. Other kinds of doctors may also be involved, including:

 

A neurologist (nervous system specialist)

A cardiologist (heart specialist)

A hematologist (blood disease specialist)

A gastroenterologist (digestive tract disease specialist)

 

Medical and family history

Your doctor may ask detailed questions about many symptoms, including feeling tired and weak and others listed in the section What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Pernicious Anemia? The doctor may ask about any personal or family history of anemia, diabetes, or diseases of the immune system. You may be asked about any surgery you have had, especially stomach surgery. The doctor may also ask you about your diet and about the medicines you are taking.

 

Physical exam

 

A physical exam may include:

 

Checking for pale or yellowish skin and a red, smooth tongue

Listening to the heart to check for a rapid heartbeat or murmur

Feeling the abdomen to check the size of the liver

 

Your doctor will also order a number of tests or procedures to be sure about the type of anemia you have and how severe it is.

 

Diagnostic tests and procedures

 

Complete blood count

Usually, the first test used to diagnose anemia is a complete blood count (CBC). The CBC tells a number of things about a person's blood, including:

 

The hemoglobin level. Hemoglobin is the iron-rich protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen through the body. A low hemoglobin level means a person has anemia.

The hematocrit level. The hematocrit level measures how much of the blood is made up of red blood cells. Low hematocrit is another sign of anemia.

 

The CBC also checks:

 

The number of red blood cells. Too few red blood cells means a person has anemia. A low number of red blood cells is usually seen with either a low hemoglobin or a low hematocrit level, or both.

The number of white blood cells. White blood cells are involved in fighting infection.

The number of platelets in the blood. Platelets are small cells that are involved in blood clotting.

Red blood cell size. The mean cell volume is the name of a test that measures the average size (volume) of red blood cells. In pernicious anemia, the red blood cells are usually larger than normal. This is called macrocytosis.

 

Tests to check the vitamin B₁₂ level

 

Vitamin B12. The level of vitamin B₁₂ in the bloodstream may be normal or borderline even when the total amount of B₁₂ in the body is low.

Folic acid (folate). This is another B vitamin that can be low when the B₁₂ level is low. A lack of folic acid can also cause anemia.

Homocysteine. Homocysteine is high in anemia due to the lack of vitamin B₁₂ or folic acid. Folate deficiency is more common because this vitamin is used up more quickly and the dietary need is greater. In this case, the blood's B₁₂ level can be normal.

Methylmalonic acid. The level of methylmalonic acid is high in anemia due to a lack of vitamin B₁₂ or folic acid. Methylmalonic acid can also be checked with a urine test.

 

Other blood tests

Other blood tests check for:

 

The presence of intrinsic factor antibodies and parietal cell antibodies. These antibodies in the blood may mean that they are destroying the intrinsic factor or parietal cells.

Levels of bilirubin, potassium, or cholesterol in the blood.

Serum iron and iron binding capacity.

The number of reticulocytes. Reticulocytes are young, red blood cells. The reticulocyte test is used to see if the bone marrow is producing red blood cells at the proper rate. A lower than average number of reticulocytes can mean that the bone marrow is not making enough red blood

cells. The reticulocyte number is low in people with pernicious anemia.

 

Schilling test

The Schilling test is a urine test that measures how well the body absorbs vitamin B12. It is not used as much now as it was in the past.

 

Bone marrow tests

In some cases, a doctor may want to do a bone marrow biopsy or aspiration. A bone marrow biopsy is a minor surgical procedure to remove a small amount of bone marrow tissue. In a bone marrow aspiration, the doctor removes a small amount of bone marrow fluid through a needle. Bone marrow biopsy or aspiration tests whether the bone marrow is healthy and can show whether the bone marrow is making enough blood cells.

 

Treatment

Doctors treat pernicious anemia by replacing the missing vitamin B₁₂ in the body. People who have pernicious anemia need treatment, usually for the rest of their lives. Without treatment, pernicious anemia can cause serious problems and can even be fatal.

 

Goals of treatment

The goals of treating pernicious anemia are to:

 

Stop the anemia and symptoms through vitamin B₁₂ treatment

Prevent complications, such as heart or nerve damage

Provide ongoing follow-up to make sure that the treatment is working

Treat the underlying cause, if one can be found

 

Specific types of treatment

Fortunately, pernicious anemia is usually easy to treat with either vitamin shots (injections) or pills. Symptoms may begin to improve within a few days after the start of treatment.

 

Vitamin B₁₂ shots. People with pernicious anemia may get daily or weekly shots at first, then one shot every month. Some people get vitamin B₁₂ shots and also take vitamin B₁₂ pills.

Vitamin B₁₂ pills. Many people with pernicious anemia can be treated successfully with vitamin B₁₂ pills. Often, the pills work as well as the shots. Because only a small amount of vitamin B₁₂ is absorbed by the body, high doses are given.

 

Vitamin B₁₂ can also be given in a gel or spray for the nose.

 

Treatment for the underlying causes of vitamin B₁₂ deficiency may be needed. To help the body absorb vitamin B₁₂, for example, a person might need antibiotics to treat stomach infections or surgery to treat intestinal problems. If the vitamin B₁₂ level is due to a poor diet, then a person can learn how to correct the diet.

 

The doctor may also recommend limiting physical activity until anemia symptoms have improved.

 

Prevention

Doctors do not know how to prevent pernicious anemia that occurs from the immune system destroying parietal cells in the stomach. The most common cause of pernicious anemia is the loss of stomach cells that make intrinsic factor.

 

Pernicious anemia due to a diet low in vitamin B₁₂ is not common. But some people who are strict vegetarians or who have a poor diet for a long time can develop this condition. Eating foods high in vitamin B₁₂ and folic acid can help prevent low vitamin B₁₂ levels. Some of these foods are:

 

Eggs, meat, poultry, or shellfish

Milk, orange juice, or oranges

Fortified cereals, wheat germ, rice, or barley

Romaine lettuce, spinach, and other green leafy vegetables

Sprouts, broccoli, asparagus

Peas, peanuts, beans, lentils, soy beans, and chickpeas

 

Vitamin B12 also can be found in multivitamins and in B-complex vitamin supplements.

Doctors may recommend supplements for people at risk of developing vitamin B12 deficiency, such as infants and children of strict vegetarians.

 

Living with peripheral arterial disease

People treated for pernicious anemia can recover, feel well, and live normal lives, although they must be sure to receive enough vitamin B₁₂ throughout their lives. If a person has developed health problems caused by pernicious anemia, such as nerve damage, treatment may reverse the damage.

 

Ongoing health care needs

People with pernicious anemia usually need to see a doctor regularly for checkups and ongoing treatment with vitamin B₁₂. If you are being treated for pernicious anemia, you will need to take vitamin B₁₂ supplements as directed by your doctor to prevent the return of symptoms.

 

Visits to the doctor will focus on monitoring for signs of vitamin B₁₂ deficiency in your body, making treatment changes as needed, and checking for the possible development of stomach cancer.

 

Doctor visits will also focus on the foods that you eat and whether you are eating enough foods that contain vitamin B₁₂. A pediatrician may prescribe vitamin B₁₂ supplements for infants and children of strict vegetarians.

Continued treatment may be needed for any ongoing problems due to nerve damage.

 

Family members

If you have been diagnosed with pernicious anemia, you should tell your family members about the disease – especially your children and your siblings. Because pernicious anemia runs in families, they may be more likely to develop the disease.