Pernicious Anemia

1. Treatment

1.1. tablets containing 25 μg to 1 mg of vitamin B12 daily

1.2. regular monthly intramuscular injections of at least 100 μg of vitamin B12

2. Risk Factors

2.1. 3% in patients aged 20 to 39 years

2.2. Family history

2.3. being of Northern European or Scandinavian descent

2.4. having type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune condition, or certain intestinal diseases such as Crohn’s disease

2.5. 60 years and older

2.6. having had part of your stomach or intestines removed

3. Diagnostic Tools

3.1. Blood Levels

3.1.1. measure vitamin B12 levels (Normal Range: 250–950)

3.2. Hematologic findings

3.2.1. normocytic or microcytic anemia

3.2.2. non-anemic macrocytosis

3.2.3. autoimmune hemolytic anemia

3.2.4. pseudo-thrombotic microangiopathy

3.2.5. hyperhomocysteinemia-associated thromboembolism

3.2.6. pseudoleu-kemia

3.2.7. bone marrow failure

3.2.8. bone marrow ring sideroblasts

3.3. Total (pentagastrin-resistant) achlorhydria

4. Clinical Manifestations

4.1. weakness and fatigue

4.2. lightheadedness and dizziness

4.3. palpitations and rapid heartbeat

4.4. shortness of breath

4.5. a sore tongue with a red, beefy appearance

4.6. nausea or poor appetite

4.7. weight loss

4.8. The nerve damage

4.8.1. numbness and tingling in the hands and feet

4.8.2. muscle weakness

4.8.3. irritability

4.8.4. confusion

4.8.5. depression

5. Causative factors

5.1. Lack of Vit B12

5.1.1. found in: meat poultry shellfish eggs dairy products fortified soy, nut, and rice milks nutritional supplements

5.2. Lack of Intrinsic Factor

5.3. Macrocytes