Pernicious anemia
Pathophysiology – Answer 5 questions about a patient presenting with (pernicious anemia)
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Mr. X, age 57, presented to his physician with marked fatigue, nausea with occasional diarrhea, and a sore, swollen tongue. Lately he also has been experiencing a tingling feeling in his toes and a feeling of clumsiness. Microscopic examination of a blood sample indicated a reduced number of erythrocytes, many of which are megaloblasts, and a reduced number of leukocytes, including many large, hypersegmented cells. Hemoglobin and serum levels of vitamin B12 were below normal. Additional tests confirm pernicious anemia.
- Relate the pathophysiology of pernicious anemia to the manifestations listed above. (See Pernicious Anemia.)
- Discuss how the gastric abnormalities contribute to vitamin B12 and iron deficiency and how vitamin B12 deficiency causes complications associated with pernicious anemia. (See Pernicious Anemia—Pathophysiology, Etiology.)
- Discuss other tests that could be performed to diagnose this type of anemia. (See Pernicious Anemia—Diagnostic Tests.)
- Discuss the treatment available and the limitations.
- Classify pernicious anemia based on structural changes in erythrocytes, amount of hemoglobin and oxygen carrying capacity of RBC
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Pernicious anemia is a form of anemia caused by the lack of absorption of vitamin B12. According to Hubert & VanMeter (2018), failure to absorb Vitamin B12 is attributed to the inability of the gastric mucosa to release the intrinsic factor (IF). Usually, when a person ingests vitamin B12, parietal cells located in the gastric glands releases IF into the stomach. Vitamin B12 then binds with the IF in the stomach and then transported to the Ileum for absorption by the bone marrow. It is the Vitamin B12 that promotes the development of normal erythrocytes…
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