$Unique_ID{BRK00590}
$Pretitle{Blood and Blood Forming Organs}
$Title{Pernicious Anemia and Vitamin B12 Treatment}
$Subject{pernicious anemia B12 vitamins}
$Volume{D-7}
$Log{
Anemia-Overview*0009201.scf
Anemia-Symptoms*0009202.scf
Anemia-Causes*0009203.scf}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Pernicious Anemia and Vitamin B12 Treatment


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QUESTION:  I have suffered for many years with a condition called pernicious
anemia.  It seems to be a disease that is in my family as my two other sisters
and brother have it as well.  The only treatment offered to me seems to be
vitamin B12 injections.  Could you tell me a bit about this disease, and if
you think a single injection each month is sufficient treatment?

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ANSWER:  Although Vitamin B12 is readily available in meat, many other animal
protein foods as well as legumes, it can not get into our system without the
presence of a substance, named  "the intrinsic factor" which is secreted by
the parietal cells which form part of the tissue that lines the stomach.  The
B12 is stored in the liver in enormous quantities, sufficient for the body's
needs for a three to five year period.  Therefore, when the mucosal tissue of
the stomach begins to atrophy and shrink, it takes a long period of time
before the lack of the vitamin can be detected, and before the anemia becomes
evident.  As the anemia develops, the body adapts, hiding the disease for even
longer periods of time.  We are beginning to learn that both inherited and
immune factors may play important roles in the development of this condition,
and so the fact that your brother and sisters also have pernicious anemia (PA)
is not unusual.  Since the B12 cannot be absorbed through the digestive tract,
it is replaced by injections.  In the first stages of treatment, regular
injections are given intra muscularly as frequently as 2 to 4 times a week, to
allow the body physiology to resume producing red cells normally, and to
replace all the reserves the liver can hold.  This may take about six weeks,
but once the blood tests show a normal picture, the frequency of the injection
may be reduced to once monthly.  It would seem that you have now reached this
stage, and therefore the once monthly schedule you are on is appropriate.
Since this does not change the underlying cause of the anemia, B12 injections
must be continued throughout life.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
