Pernicious Anemia Community Group

Decrease in Red Blood Cells due to Vitamin B12 deficiency from malaborption through the gastrointestinal tract. This form of anemia is part of Megoblastic Anemia which is where the blood cells are larger then normal. Anemia is a condition where the body does not have enough healthy blood cells and therefore does not allow enough oxygen to body tissues. Please join the...

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Heart, Blood & Circulation
/ Pernicious Anemia Support Group

Intrinsic Factor--IF

deleted_user
deleted_user
Intrinsic factor is a protein produced by cells in the stomach lining. It is needed for the intestines to absorb vitamin B12 efficiently. Immune system damage to the stomach lining can cause a lack (deficiency) of intrinsic factor.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Intrinsic factor deficiencies can also be caused by other reasons, such as:

Inherited conditions
Other diseases
Surgical removal of the stomach
deleted_user
deleted_user
I think my intrinsic factor is ok so technically I don't have Pernicious Anemia but Simvastatin damaged my stomach and I have chronic gastritis. I also am a Diabetic and take metformin which causes difficulties in absorbing B12. I found another paper saying people who are hypothyroid often have a decreased level of B12. Add it all up and I have the classic symptoms. I think doctors should routinely test Diabetics and those with thyroid conditions for B12 deficiencies.
Linda
deleted_user
deleted_user
Further research. People taking Metformin and or Synthroid should try to keep their B12 levels above 500 especially if they are having symptoms.
People with Vitiligo have a 47% chance of having Pernicious Anemia. My sister , daughter and great grandmother have Vitiligo. My great grandmother also had Pernicious Anemia.
Linda
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have about 1/3 of my stomach left after cancer and cannot produce the intrinsic factor. I inj. myself once a mon. with B12. It is a life saver.
chloe2268
chloe2268
Not sure if this helps or if you are interested but I recently heard about a new oral prescription alternative to the injections called Eligen B12. I recently read that it works even if you don't have intrinsic factor (so even if you don't have normal gut absorption), which is great. Apparently it came out a month or two ago...