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Alternative names Return to top
Macrocytic anemiaDefinition Return to top
Anemia is a drop in the number of red blood cells. This can be caused by a lack of vitamin B12.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
Vitamin B12 is essential for normal nervous system function and blood cell production. The main sources of vitamin B12 include meat, eggs, and dairy products. For vitamin B12 to be absorbed by the body, it must bind to intrinsic factor, a protein secreted by cells in the stomach.
Causes of vitamin B12 deficiency include:
The risk factors are related to the causes.
Symptoms Return to top
Signs and tests Return to top
A physical evaluation of the patient's neurological signs may show depressed deep tendon reflexes, decreased position sense, decreased vibration sense, or positive Babinski reflex. Other signs and tests include the following:Treatment Return to top
Treatment depends on the cause of the anemia:
Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
Treatment for this form of anemia is usually effective.
Complications Return to top
Calling your health care provider Return to top
Call your health care provider if you have any of the symptoms of anemia.Prevention Return to top
Anemia caused by a lack of vitamin B12 can be prevented through a well-balanced diet. Preventative use of vitamin B12 injections can prevent anemia after surgeries known to cause vitamin B12 deficiency. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment can limit the severity of this anemia as well as the neurologic complications. Update Date: 6/5/2003 Updated by: Ezra E. W. Cohen, M.D., Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |