`

Pernicious anemia

Evidence: Antibody

Name

 

Description

Pernicious Anemia
Macrocytic Anemia
Megaloblastic Anemia

 

A condition in which the body cannot produce enough red blood cells due to a lack of vitamin B12. People with pernicious anemia cannot absorb enough B12 from food because of a lack of intrinsic factor--a protein made in the stomach--which leads to vitamin B12 deficiency.

Patient Groups

Prevalence

US Cases: 1,580,000 [Toh 1997]. 0.1% in the general population and 1.9% in patients over the age of 60.  Pernicious anemia represents 20%-50% of the causes of vitamin B12 deficiencies in adults. 

Typical Age of onset

60

Symptoms

●      Fatigue

●      Shortness of breath

●      Dizziness

●      Cold hands and feet

●      Chest pain

●      Pale or yellow skin

●      Trouble with balance

●      Burning sensation in legs or feet which may worsen at night

●      Depression

●      Difficulty focusing