Health Topics > Immune system > perniciousanaemia

PERNICIOUS ANAEMIA

What is it?

What Causes it?

• It is a disease of the elderly due to decreased absorption due to reduced production of intrinsic factor.
• It is thought to have an autoimmune basis (see Autoimmune Disease). It may be associated with other autoimmune diseases, particularly thyroid disease, Addison's disease (see Adrenal Insufficiency) and vitiligo (loss of skin pigmentation). In autoimmune cases the body produces antibodies against the cells producing intrinsic factor. The cells then die and B12 deficiency and pernicious anemia develop.
• Stomach cancers and ulcers can take up so much room in the stomach that there are too few cells remaining producing intrinsic factor.

Diagnosis

• Parietal cell antibodies are present in virtually all patients with PA. Intrinsic factor antibodies are found in only 50% of patients but are specific for the diagnosis of pernicious anemia.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of pernicious anaemia are those of vitamin B12 deficiency. This includes symptoms of anaemia, such as:
• Tiredness, pallor, faintness, headaches, shortness of breath and palpitations;
• Neurological changes, like numbness, tingling, weakness, clumsiness and difficulty walking (particularly at night when the patient cannot see where they are going and has to rely on an awareness of the position of their legs).
• Deteriorating mental function and dementia can also be caused by vitamin B12 deficiency. These neurological changes may be permanent if the condition is left untreated.
• Other symptoms include weight loss, a low grade fever (of unknown cause) and sometimes a red sore tongue and cracking at the corners of the mouth.
• Males with pernicious anaemia have a higher incidence of stomach cancer than the general population.

Treatment

Pernicious anaemia is treated by correcting the vitamin B12 deficiency. Hydroxocobalamin (vitamin B12) is given as an intramuscular injection initially weekly, and then every one to three months for the rest of the patient's life. These injections are very effective and eliminate the symptoms provided treatment is given early enough. It is not recommended to use oral supplements - the intramuscular injections are the only efficient method of supplementing B12 when treating pernicious anaemia.

Diet

Follow the vital principles outlined on pages 20 - 27 of  'The Healthy Liver and Bowel Book"  40 percent of the diet should consist of raw foods.
Also include some plain biodyanamic acidophilus yogurt.

Raw Juicing

Recommended supplements:

Selenium tablets

• Take 2 tablets twice daily.  Selenium is helpful for all autoimmune diseases. 

Women's multi vitamin and mineral formula containing iron

• Take 1 daily - A good formula contains an extensive range of natural ingredients and is designed to prevent nutritional deficiencies and increase general wellbeing.