Join Our Community!
Share
Conditions and Diseases > Immune Disorders Forum > Pernicious Anemia and Vitamin B12
Have you just been diagnosed with anemia? Learn how doctors define anemia...plus more information on what causes anemia and who is at risk of developing anemia....
Anemia is caused by a range of diseases and conditions. Learn which factors contribute to anemia and how you can avoid some of the risk factors of anemia here....
Anemia can make you feel tired. But what other some other signs of anemia? Click here for more on anemia complications and when you should seek medical help....
User Profile
Q: Pernicious Anemia and Vitamin B12
asked by: DoctorQuestion on April 20th, 2008
I was initialy diagnosed with pernicious anemia 16 years ago when my Hemoglobin dropped down to 3.5. I am currently receiving B12 shots for my anemia and have been for one year however I was started on the shots when the Trinsicon pills I was getting stopped working dropping my B12 level from it's normal 900 to 156. My hempglobin is fine. I am tired I ache all over, I get short of breath climbing stairs, I get chest pains and my digestion is not great. Dispite the monthly shots my B12 is only 260 after one year of monthly shots. My current doctor told me to add 1000 mcg of B12 daily which I have but my levels are still low. What could be causing this? Should I see a specialist and if so what kind of doctor would that be? I had my galbladder removed two years ago. could that have caused any change in the absorbtion of the Trinsicon? shouldn't the injections be working since they bypass the digestion system?


Did you find this post useful?
|
Replies(1)
User Profile
Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD
replied on April 29th, 2008
Immune Disorders Answer A4001
Pernicious anemia is a type of megaloblastic anemia. Pernicious anemia is caused by disturbed absorption of Vitamin B12. Absorption of the Vitamin B12 is disturbed because the so called “intrinsic factor”, which is produced in the stomach, is missing. The Intrinsic factor becomes missing in cases of chronic atrophic gastritis. Was chronic gastritis proven in your case? Other reasons for deficit of Vitamin B12 could be: diet with less Vitamin B12, presence of intestinal parasites, intestinal disorders and genetic defects of Vitamin B12 transport and cell intake.


Every laboratory has its own referent values for Vitamin B12 level in the serum so I can’t judge about your values because you didn’t tell me the referent values for Vitamin B12 in the serum. For evaluating the anemia condition 2 parameters are very important: hemoglobin level and MCV (erythrocyte volume). You told me that the hemoglobin was fine but nothing about MCV. As long as the hemoglobin level and MCV are OK there is nothing to be worry about.


Gallbladder removal should not disturb the Vitamin B12 absorption.
Injections with Vitamin B12 should work.


You may want to consult a hematologist and gastroenterologist about your condition.





DISCLAIMER: "Ask a Doctor" questions are answered by certified physicians and other medical professionals who volunteer their time on eHealth Forum. For more information about experts participating in the "Ask a Doctor" Network, please visit our medical experts page. You may also visit our Immune Disorders , for moderated patient to patient support and information.

The information provided on eHealth Forum is designed to improve, not replace, the relationship between a patient and his/her own physician. Personal consultation(s) with a qualified medical professional is the proper means for diagnosing any medical condition.
Did you find this post useful?
|
This question has been answered by the doctor. This topic is now open for public discussion, however no comments below this point will be answered by a doctor.
Quick Reply
Search