Medical Health Encyclopedia

Pernicious anemia


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Megaloblastic anemia - view of red blood cells
Megaloblastic anemia - view of red blood cells
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Alternative Names

Macrocytic achylic anemia; Congenital pernicious anemia; Juvenile pernicious anemia; Vitamin B-12 deficiency (malabsorption)


Symptoms

Many cells in our body need vitamin B-12, including nerve cells and blood cells. Inadequate vitamin B-12 gradually affects sensory and motor nerves, causing neurological problems to develop over time. It is important to know that the neurological effects of vitamin B-12 deficiency may be seen before anemia is diagnosed.

The anemia also affects the gastrointestinal system and the cardiovascular system. The following symptoms may indicate pernicious anemia:





Signs and tests

Tests that may indicate pernicious anemia include:

This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:



Review Date: 10/31/2005
Reviewed By: William Matsui, MD, Assistant Professor of Oncology, Division of Hematologic Malignancies, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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