Pernicious anemia is a form of megaloblastic anemia due to a vitamin B12 deficiency, which is caused by an impaired absorption of the vitamin B12. Pernicious anemia is the most common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency in adult patients. Vitamin B12 is not produced by the human body, and accordingly must be gained through a person's diet, or otherwise introduced to the body.

There are many symptoms and signs related to pernicious anemia. Some of the common ones include:

Mental status
Cognitive impairment ("fog") and personality changes

Physical status
Abdominal pain, appetite loss, chest pain, constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, fever, jaundice, low muscle tone, malaise, movement troubles, muscle spasms, pallor, paresthesias (numbness, tingling or burning) in the fingers, "pins and needles," rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, spasticity, tongue symptoms (sore, burning or red), unsteadiness, upset stomach, weakness, weight loss

For a doctor to diagnose a case of pernicious anemia, there must be a demonstration of megaloblastic anemia, found through a full blood count. The direct cause of a vitamin B12 deficiency must also be established. Pernicious anemia can be distinguished from other forms of vitamin B12 deficiency, such as malabsorption, through a Schilling's test.



Pernicious anemia is treated through the administration of vitamin B12 supplements. Oral tablets and injections are both potential methods of receiving the vitamin B12. If the supplement is taken orally, much greater than standard doses must be given due to the inherent impaired absorption of the vitamin B12 by the patient's body. Oral supplements are usually taken daily. Injections are typically given once per month, and may even be self-administered at home by the patient, using the type of syringes and needles diabetics would use for insulin.

Pernicious anemia is sometimes known as Addison's anemia, Biermer's anemia or Addison-Biermer Anemia. Dr. Addison first described the disease, which is why his name is often attached. George Whipple is also associated with the condition as his work began the first workable treatment of pernicious anemia. Through his work and follow-up work by George Minot and William Murphy, it was eventually realized that iron had an effect in the treatment of the disease. Originally liver had been used, and iron as the treatment was finally isolated. Finally, in 1948 Karl A. Folkers and Alexander R. Todd isolated the actual active ingredient in the liver, which is cobalamin (to be named vitamin B12).

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