I have pernicious anemia ,taking treatment for last 8 months I?m 32 years old, recurrence of symptoms, when will I be able to live normal life?

Question

Hi lybrate-user Pernicious anemia is a type of anaemia in which the body can't make enough healthy red blood cells because it doesn't have enough vitamin B12. It is a chronic illness caused by impaired absorption of vitamin B12 because of a lack of intrinsic factor (protein in stomach). Without adequate intrinsic factor vitamin B12 will not get absorbed into your body. There are various causes of pernicious anemia. Now, pernicious anemia usually is easy to treat with vitamin B12 pills or shots. With proper treatment, most people who have pernicious anemia can lead a healthy and live normal lives. BUT Pernicious anemia also has other causes, besides a lack of intrinsic factor like malabsorption in the small intestine and a diet lacking vitamin B12. Sometimes pernicious anemia occurs because the body's small intestine can't properly absorb vitamin B12. This may be the result of: ?Too many of the wrong kind of bacteria in the small intestine which use up the available vitamin B12 before the small intestine can absorb it. ?Diseases that interfere with vitamin B12 absorption. E.g celiac disease or Crohn's disease ?Certain medicines e.g antibiotics and certain diabetes and seizure medicines alter bacterial growth or prevent the small intestine from properly absorbing vitamin B12. ?Surgical removal of part or all of the small intestine OR A tapeworm infection. The tapeworm feeds off of the vitamin B12. So if you can find out what exactly is causing pernicious anemia you might be able to know whether it's life long management or not. Hope this helps!

Pujah Kundaar · Accepted Answer

Hi lybrate-user Pernicious anemia is a type of anaemia in which the body can't make enough healthy red blood cells because it doesn't have enough vitamin B12. It is a chronic illness caused by impaired absorption of vitamin B12 because of a lack of intrinsic factor (protein in stomach). Without adequate intrinsic factor vitamin B12 will not get absorbed into your body. There are various causes of pernicious anemia. Now, pernicious anemia usually is easy to treat with vitamin B12 pills or shots. With proper treatment, most people who have pernicious anemia can lead a healthy and live normal lives. BUT Pernicious anemia also has other causes, besides a lack of intrinsic factor like malabsorption in the small intestine and a diet lacking vitamin B12. Sometimes pernicious anemia occurs because the body's small intestine can't properly absorb vitamin B12. This may be the result of: ?Too many of the wrong kind of bacteria in the small intestine which use up the available vitamin B12 before the small intestine can absorb it. ?Diseases that interfere with vitamin B12 absorption. E.g celiac disease or Crohn's disease ?Certain medicines e.g antibiotics and certain diabetes and seizure medicines alter bacterial growth or prevent the small intestine from properly absorbing vitamin B12. ?Surgical removal of part or all of the small intestine OR A tapeworm infection. The tapeworm feeds off of the vitamin B12. So if you can find out what exactly is causing pernicious anemia you might be able to know whether it's life long management or not. Hope this helps!