Definitions for "Pernicious anemia"
Anemia from an underlying autoimmune digestive disorder.
A condition caused by insufficient absorption of vitamin B12 from the intestine, regardless of food intake, due to a lack of vitamin B12 binding protein in the gut. It is characterized by anemia, degeneration of the spinal cord, and, if untreated, sore tongue, weakness, weight loss, back pain, tingling of extremities, apathy, and mental and nervous abnormalities. A daily intramuscular injection of B12 will restore normal blood count and cause symptoms to disappear.
A form of anemia, which means less than the normal level of circulating red blood cells. This condition is caused by an inappropriate autoimmune process in which the immune system attacks and damages certain cells lining the stomach. As a result, vitamin B12 is not absorbed properly from food that is consumed. Vitamin B12 is necessary for proper red blood cell production.