Pernicious Anemia

Question: What causes symptoms in pernicious anemia? I'm looking for information as to the biochemical reason for pernicious anemia causing symptoms such as sore tongue, difficulty swallowing and stomach pain. I know it's due to a B12 deficiency, but how does that extend to the symptoms I mentioned above? Please cite references if you know of any. I've been searching online for an hour with no luck. Thank you very much, and 10 points for the best answer.

Answer: I thought this was a result of an iron deficiency, so I looked this term up on the internet. This is what I found: People who have pernicious anemia can't absorb enough vitamin B12 from food due to a lack of intrinsic (in-TRIN-sik) factor, a protein made in the stomach. This leads to vitamin B12 deficiency. The condition is called pernicious ("deadly") anemia because it was often fatal in the past, before vitamin B12 treatments were available. Now, pernicious anemia usually is easy to treat with vitamin B12 pills or shots. With ongoing care and proper treatment, most people who have pernicious anemia can recover, feel well, and live normal lives. This article doesn't address specific symptoms, but I think you should feel fortunate that at least your symptoms helped lead you to a diagnosis and possible treatment. It also said that if left untreated it can lead to symptoms and conditions much worse that that. The inflammation in any condition is debilitating and can drain you of energy and compound or complicate any disorder. You just need a regimen to compensate for your disorder so you can mend.

Question: What natural remedies work best for pernicious anemia? Only reply if your medically educated or wise please.I was diagnosed with pernicious anemia a year ago, now I don't have medical insurance and cannot afford a doctor. I need to treat this as it is hard to deal with. I was told to take iron supplements and sublingual B-12 and I do take those but now I'm peri-menopausel and suffering from frequent bleeding. Im desperate for answers.

Answer: Hun, you probably already know all this, but I'm listing a bit of info... "Pernicious Anemia (PA) is a deficiency anemia that only involves vitamin B12 and comes from a need of "intrinsic factor". Initially, B12 supplements should be given as an injection by a qualified medical professional. When blood abnormalities are inverted, supplementation may then be given orally with vitamin B12 at 1,000 to 2000 mcg per day. People who lack intrinsic factor will normally only absorb 1% of this amount, which is enough to help with future vitamin B12 deficiencies. Some doctors will recommend continuing lifelong B12 injections, even though it may be unnecessary." http://www.nutrasanus.com/pernicious-anemia.html There ARE foods that are high in B12, so you should try and include them in your diet as often as possible, especially now that you're bleeding more frequently. Since you're already on supplements now, and if you start to include more high B12 foods, it might be enough to alleviate the problem with your periods. Foods rich in Vitamin B12 Meat: liver (best source); beef/mutton; chicken; pork/ham; fish; whole egg Dairy products: milk; cheese; yoghurt; maas Liver should always be included more often in the diet, especially with PA .... as it is an excellent source of Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, iron and other important nurtients." http://www.kznhealth.gov.za/nutrition/food6.htm I hope this helps.. and that you can start to feel a little better. *hugs*

Question: I have pernicious anemia and peripheral neuropathy. Prior to being diagnosised I volunteered to be a bone? marrow donor. I have yet to be chosen. My question is will the national bone marrow donor program disqualify me b/c of pernicious anemia? They are unable to tell me at this time.

Answer: More than likely. THere is a better list of guidlelines at www.marrow.org I want to say they will not let you bc the point of bone marrow/stem cell transplant is to rid the patient of their blood disease or other auto immune issues. Introducing a graft that has its own issues really just seems contradictorary to me. But, on a personal note, thnx for having the guts to volunteer and be typed in the first place. I had lots of ppl that wanted to be typed for me specifically, but NO ONE would sign up for the registry.

Question: Can Pernicious Anemia shorten your life? My girlfriend was recently diagnosed with Pernicious anemia. She's 27. Does it in any way effect your life span or make you more succesptable to getting cancer? She will shortly go on the shots to halt it. Any help is much appreciated, thankyou.

Answer: No, she will probably just need to have Vitamin B12 injections.

Question: Do patients with peptic ulcer disease PUD have pernicious anemia? If they have a gastric ulcer or one in the duodenum, can they have pernicious anemia due to the staomch of duodenum being destroyed somewhere ?

Answer: People with pernicious anemia can get PUD as any other normal person . PA causes Vit B12 malabsorption . PUD by itself should not cause PA.

Question: hello guys. do you know what is the relationship of intrinsic factor and pernicious anemia? why does pernicious anemia occurs when there is lack of intrinsic factor in the body.or maybe what is the relationship between intrinsic factor and pernicious anemia.

Answer: the intrinsic factor is mainly present in the stomach and it's role is to unit with vitamin B12(extrinsic factor)to prevent its digestion by stomach enzymes.to form a complex which passes to the small intestin where they leave each other and the vit B 12 is being absorbed by the small intestin. if there is a lack in intrinsic factor there will be no absorption to vit.B12 which is essantial for formation of RBC'S and their maturation leading to vit b12 deficiency anemia=pernicious anemia

Question: Question for people suffering with pernicious anemia? I am doing a project on pernicious anemia and I need to know what influence this illness can have on a family if someone is suffering from it? Please help!

Answer: In pernicious anemia, stomach cells do not secrete adequate Intrinsic Factor (IF) to transport Vit. B12 from digested red meat into your intestine blood vessels. So, the body lacks Vit. B12 and you must take shots of Vit B12 so that your red blood cells (RBCs) can be formed to carry oxygen to bodily tissues. Without Oxygen your bodily cells, you have a lack of oxidation process that is needed for energy formation. Fatigue is a common symptom. Vitamin B12 injections and sublingual (under tongue) Vitamin B12 can be used to treat. A family member may be trained to give the injections and the family may need to understand that the patient can become tired easily. Also, it is important to understand that this can be a genetic disease. Risk factors include a family history of pernicious anemia, Scandinavian or Northern European descent, and a history of autoimmune endocrine disorders.

Question: Pernicious Anemia,vitamin B12 deficiency,after starting injections how long does it take to be cured? i was diagnosed with B12 deficiency anemia and up tp now i have taken 7 shots and some symtoms are a little better,i want to know how long does it take to have all symptoms (weakness ,tingling ,pain) vanished?,does anybody has gone through this course of treatment?if so please tell me.thank you.

Answer: You will have to take B12 for the rest of your life. If you have neurologic symptoms due to B12 deficiency, the result of treatment depends on how early treatment was started in large part. Too late, and B12 will not reverse the symptoms. It depends too on whether the main cause of your symptoms is the peripheral nerve or the posterior columns of the spinal cord. A nerve heals about 1mm a day. ( rough estimate) so if you have numbness up 1 inch, figure 25 days for that inch. Most people have 'way more than that when the problem is discovered. Make sure you have been carefully checked for other causes of numbness, weakness, pain-- CIDP, and the usual suspects- Diabetes ( with a glucose tolerance) heavy metals, collagen diseases,etc. Better to be careful and sure, that to use "Post hoc" reasoning and find out a year or two down the road something else was going on.

Question: If a person with pernicious anemia was hurt (burned,slapped,ect) would they feel it? Because I heard that people with pernicious anemia have bad stimuli's or whatever they are, and they can't feel it whenever things touch 'em?

Answer: Well, I don't know if things can be narrowed down that specifically, but people with pernicious anemia commonly have neurological complications. What happens is that they lose nerve fibers and myelin in the dorsal columns (which convey sense of touch and proprioception i.e. sense of position relative to surroundings) and lateral horn (which conveys autonomic function e.g. sympathetic drive) of the spinal cord and cerebral cortex. Specifically they may show - unsteady gait - clumsiness - paresthesias - i.e. sense of numbness, prickling, or tingling - neurological symptoms worsened when in the dark Pain however, is more so conveyed by the anterolateral system which in the spinal cord is located in a different location compared to the lateral horn and dorsal columns.

Question: Can people with pernicious anemia play sports like tennis? I was just asking, because I've heard that people with pernicious anemia, well their back deteriorates....and that people in wheelchairs can play basketball....so can a person with pernicious anemia still play tennis? It doesn't matter if they're in a wheelchair/not, just please answer the question =]

Answer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pernicious_anemia

Question: pernicious anemia? I have been told that I have a neuropathy with no apparent cause. I see a lot of symptoms of pernicious anemia are the same symptoms that I have. Most recently my Dr has started giving me B-12 shots and I have more feeling in my feet and legs now. I am however still feeling week. Could I have a pernicious anemia? I do loose my balance and do have weakness in legs and stamina as no wear near what it had been . Just looking for some ideas. I do not have any diabities or other things that would show on a MRI. Thanks for any information you might give me

Answer: Pernacious anemia is cause by low B12 so if yuor doc is giving you b12 shots and you are feeling better then more than likely that's what is wrong. Have your iron levels checked too. Alot of times if your b12 levelsare low so is your iron which will my you tired and also lower your immune system

Question: What causes pernicious anemia and what are the treatments for it? My blood cells are too large and the doctor doesnt say what she will do for it. I am always tired and have a problem with digestion. I have found out it is something to do with "intrensic factor" and the inability to process certain foods in the intestines. Any ideas about what I can do to treat this condition? Thank you. Marilyn

Answer: Intrinsic factor is a glycoprotein produced in the lining of the stomach that facilitates the absorption of vitamin B12. In pernicious anemia this is deficient either because of an autoimmune response against it or gastritis or inflammation of the stomach which affects the cells which makes it. The lack of the vitamin causes the anemia. Treatment is simple with intramuscular B12 shots monthly--needed for the rest of your life. This should take care of the problem.

Question: What are the symptoms of pernicious anemia? And what are the possible causes?

Answer: Pernicious anemia is caused by a lack of intrinsic factor, a substance needed to absorb vitamin B-12 from the gastrointestinal tract. Vitamin B-12 is necessary for the formation of red blood cells. Intrinsic factor is a protein that helps the body absorb vitamin B-12. When stomach secretions do not have enough intrinsic factor, vitamin B-12 is not absorbed well. This results in pernicious anemia and other problems related to low levels of vitamin B-12. Nerve and blood cells need vitamin B-12 to function properly, so deficiency can cause a wide variety of symptoms, including fatigue, shortness of breath, tingling sensations, difficulty walking, and diarrhea. It's easily treated with B-12 injections monthly.

Question: What could be all the causes of pernicious anemia and are there more than one type.? Is? there a definitive test besides the shilling which most places don't do. I will not hold you responsible for your medical anwer.

Answer: Pernicious anemia tends to run in families. Pernicious anemia is caused by deficiencies of vitamin B12 and folic acid. Folic acid, a vitamin that is necessary for normal RBC production is stored as compounds referred to as folate. The folate stores in the body are much smaller than vitamin B12 and they are quickly depleted when dietary intake of folate is deficient. Folate is found in green leafy vegetables and liver. Folate deficiency occurs in people who eat vegetables rarely. Also, one precipitating factor of folate deficiency is alcoholism. As for vitamin B12 deficiency, it occurs in people who are strict vegetarians and not consuming meat or any dairy products. The body has normally large stores of vitamin B12, so years may pass before the deficiency occurs. Because the body compensates so well, anemia can be severe before the patient becomes symptomatic. For unknown reason, people w/ pernicious anemias have higher incidence of gastric cancer. So you better have endoscopies at regular intervals like every 1-2 years to screen for early gastric cancer. Aside from Schilling's test there is intrinsic factor antibody test. This is more easier than Schilling's test. Unfortunately, this test is not specific for pernicious anemia alone, but it can aid in the diagnosis. I hope that it helps. Try to seek medical assistance regarding that.

Question: How much money would it cost for a docter to check for pernicious anemia? For a 15 yr. old kid who doesn't have a medical card, or anything like that?

Answer: Most states offer insurance for children if their parents qualify for the income level. You might want to check that out. Otherwise, start with the school nurse and let her know your symptoms and concerns, even about no insurance. Schools have connections to social workers who can assist you or lead you in the right direction. My grandmother had this anemia and took monthly B-12 shots for 20 years. No problems at all once she started that. The shots were about $10 each.

Question: Pernicious Anemia and Spina Bifida run in my family. Is there a connection? might the two be related? I am wondering because alot of my family members get vit b injections because they lack intrinsic factor, and spina bifida also runs in my family too...and I read about how we need to take folic acid now. But is folic acid absorption affected by Pernicious Anemia? Is there a connection?

Answer: No connection.