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Pernicious anemia - Treatment

Alternative Names

Macrocytic achylic anemia; Congenital pernicious anemia; Juvenile pernicious anemia; Vitamin B12 deficiency (malabsorption)

Treatment:

Monthly vitamin B12 injections are prescribed to correct the vitamin B12 deficiency. This therapy treats the anemia and may correct the neurological complications if taken early enough. In people with a severe deficiency, the injections are given more frequently at first.

Some doctors recommend that elderly patients with gastric atrophy take vitamin B12 supplements by mouth in addition to monthly injections.

There is also a preparation of vitamin B12 that may be given through the nose. For some people, taking vitamin B12 by mouth in a very high dose can also be an effective treatment.

A well-balanced diet is essential to provide other elements for healthy blood cell development, such as folic acid, iron, and vitamin C.

Expectations (prognosis):

The outcome is usually excellent with treatment.

Complications:

People with pernicious anemia may have gastric polyps and they are at increased risk for gastric cancer and gastric carcinoid tumors.

Neurological defects may continue if treatment is delayed.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency.

Megaloblastic anemia - view of red blood cells

Reviewed last on: 11/23/2008
David Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Aslo reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Antony AC. Megaloblastic anemias. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 170.

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