Gabe Mirkin, M.D.
Most people with pernicious anemia can a cured by
taking a 1000 microgram pill of vitamin B12 once a day; they
usually do not need to take injections. Pernicious anemia is due
to lack of vitamin B12 which results in progressive nerve damage
that causes forgetfulness, loss of ability to concentrate and
abnormal nerve sensations such as burning, itching or loss of
feeling. However, many people with pernicious anemia do not
have abnormally low blood levels of vitamin B12. One study
showed that older people have lower blood levels of a chemical
called homotranscobalamin II that carries vitamin B12 into the
cells, so they need higher blood levels of B12 to have normal
tissue levels.
The diagnosis of pernicious anemia is often made late in
the course of the disease after a person has suffered permanent
nerve damage. One report showed that two percent of
Americans over 60 have low blood levels of vitamin B12, but the
incidence of vitamin B12 deficiency causing nerve damage in
older people is much higher than that, perhaps as high a 50
percent. Many older people who are diagnosed with senility
actually suffer from lack of vitamin B12. Lack of vitamin B12 also
can cause heart attacks, so all people over 60 should be
screened for B12 deficiency. Those with normal levels of B12
who have symptoms of nerve damage or arteriosclerosis should
also get a blood test called homocysteine. Low levels of B12 can
be associated with stomach diseases, absorption problems and
infections such as Helicobacter pylori. See reports #G123 on Helicobacter and
#G206 on Celiac Sprue.
March 1, 2006