This document discusses pernicious anemia, an autoimmune disease where the body is unable to absorb vitamin B12. Pernicious anemia is more common in older adults and those of Northern European descent. Symptoms can include fatigue, weakness, weight loss, pale skin, sore tongue, and neurological problems. The disease occurs when the stomach stops producing intrinsic factor, which is needed to absorb B12 from food. Treatment involves vitamin B12 injections or high dose supplements.

1. Autoimmune
Diseases

2. Autoimmune Disease
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3. Prenicious Anemia
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4. Common causes of pernicious anemia include
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5. What are the symptoms of pernicious anemia?
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 headaches
 chest pain
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(tinnitus)
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6. Glossitis

7. Other examples of symptoms

8. At what ages is pernicious anemia more
common?
Pernicious anemia is more common in people of Northern European and African descent than in other ethnic groups.
Older people also are at higher risk for the condition.
In adults, symptoms of pernicious anemia are usually not seen until after age 30.
It occurs in 0.1 percent of the general population and 1.9 percent in people who are older than 60 years.
The average age of diagnosis is age 60.
Conditions associated with vitamin B12 inadequacy include pernicious anemia, present in about 15% to 25% of older
adults with vitamin B12 deficiency .
Atrophic gastritis, an autoimmune condition affecting 2% of the general population but 8–9% of adults aged 65 and
older, decreases production of intrinsic factor and secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach and thus decreases
absorption of vitamin B12.
Slightly more women than men are affected by pernicious anemia.

9. What should we do if we have prenicious anemia?
The body needs vitamin B12 to make red blood cells.
You get this vitamin from eating foods such as meat, poultry, shellfish,
eggs, and dairy products.
we need to consume a lot of foods that contain vitamin B12.
If you have severe pernicious anemia, your doctor may recommend shots
first. Shots usually are given in a muscle every day or every week until the
level of vitamin B12 in your blood increases. After your vitamin B12 blood
level returns to normal, you may get a shot only once a month.
For less severe pernicious anemia, your doctor may recommend large
doses of vitamin B12 pills. A vitamin B12 nose gel and spray also are
available.

10. References
Beers MH, Berkow R., eds. The Merck Manual, 17th ed. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck Research Laboratories; 1999:865-868.
Bennett JC, Plum F, eds. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 20th ed. W.B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, PA; 1996:660, 844.
Hart JA. Pernicious anemia. MedlinePlus. Medical Encyclopedia. Update Date: 1/16/2004. 4pp.
National Libraby of Medicine- prenicious anemia
https://www.healthline.com.