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Anemia - B12 deficiency   

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Pernicious anemia; Macrocytic anemia

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause of the anemia.

Pernicious anemia requires life long therapy with Vitamin B12 injections.

Anemia caused by dietary insufficiency of Vitamin B12 can be corrected by oral (by mouth) vitamin replacement in combination with a more balanced diet. Initially it may be treated with Vitamin B12 injections.

Anemia caused by malabsorption (inadequate absorption of nutrients from the intestinal tract) is treated with Vitamin B12 injections until the condition improves.

Prognosis

The anemia generally is corrected by therapy.

Complications

Central nervous system signs and symptoms may be irreversible if treatment is not initiated within 6 months of the onset of these symptoms. Vitamin B12 affects the maturation of all epithelial cells (cells that form the outer surface of the body and line inner passageways) and a deficiency may cause a false positive pap smear.

Call Your Health Care Provider If:

Call your health care provider if symptoms indicate anemia of Vitamin B12 deficiency.

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