Pernicious anemia: Year of the Zebra

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Pernicious anemia is an autoimmune disorder characterized by a decrease in the production of red blood cells due to lack of vitamin B12.
An essential component for the development of red blood cells in pernicious anemia. A protein found in the stomach called intrinsic factor or if F or the stomach cells that produce if F are attacked by the immune system.
Intrinsic factor normally binds to vitamin B12 to allow the vitamin to be absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract when there is insufficient intrinsic factor, vitamin B12 cannot be absorbed, ultimately leading to a decrease in red blood cell production.
Now, the symptoms of pernicious anemia may include weakness, fatigue, abdominal discomfort, after eating or drinking, palpitations, mouth ulcers or even weight loss, jaundice or yellowing of the skin or sclera can also occur in more severe cases.
Symptoms can be due to damage to neurons and present as paresthesia or pins and needles sensations, spasticity or abnormal muscle tone and imbalance.
The diagnosis of pernicious anemia is based on the individual's detailed medical history and thorough clinical evaluation.
However, blood tests are required to confirm the diagnosis. Blood tests can include a complete blood count or CBC vitamin B12 levels, peripheral smear and antibody testing, typically, the CBC will show an increase in mean corpuscular volume.
Or MCV. Vitamin B twelves may be low and a peripheral smear may show macroovalocytes or large oval shaped red blood cells and hypersegmented neutrophils or a type of white blood cell with multilobe nuclei.
Finally, antibody testing can show antibodies against intrinsic factor and gastric cells that produce it which can confirm the diagnosis.
Other blood tests may also be done if an underlying condition is suspected. Now, treatment involves lifelong supplementation of vitamin B12.
Intramuscular injections of vitamin b12 are the preferred method of administration and are usually taken every day or every other day for the first week of therapy.
Then weekly injections occur for 1 to 2 months, followed by maintenance therapy with monthly injections by supplementing with intramuscular vitamin B12.
The body is able to bypass the gastrointestinal tract and absorb the vitamin without the need for intrinsic factor. All right.
As a quick recap pernicious anemia is an autoimmune disease characterized by a decrease in the production of red blood cells due to a lack of vitamin b12.
Absorption symptoms can include fatigue, jaundice, oral ulcers or neurologic symptoms. Diagnosis includes a thorough history, physical exam and laboratory testing.
Treatment involves lifelong supplementation of vitamin B12 injections.
Pernicious anemia: Video, Causes, and Symptoms | Osmosis