Pernicious anemia medical therapy
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Medical Therapy
Being a manifestation of vitamin BTemplate:Ssub deficiency, pernicious anaemia is treated by administering vitamin BTemplate:Ssub supplements. Note that if oral tablets are chosen for this purposes, much higher doses are given than normally required in order to overcome the impaired absorption that characterises pernicious anaemia. If oral tablets are not sufficient, vitamin BTemplate:Ssub can also be administered via injection. Often the patient can learn to do this at home.
- Monthly vitamin B12 injections are prescribed to correct the vitamin B12 deficiency. This therapy treats the anemia and may correct the neurological complications if taken early enough. In people with a severe deficiency, the injections are given more often at first.
- Some doctors recommend that elderly patients with gastric atrophy take vitamin B12 supplements by mouth in addition to monthly injections.
- There is also a preparation of vitamin B12 that may be given through the nose. For some people, taking vitamin B12 tablets by mouth in a very high dose can be an effective treatment.
- A well-balanced diet is essential to provide other elements for healthy blood cell development, such as folic acid, iron, and vitamin C.