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Anemia - B12 Deficiency
Alternate Names : Macrocytic Anemia
Definition
Anemia is a drop in the number of red blood cells. This can be caused by a lack of vitamin B12.
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Vitamin B12 is essential for normal nervous system function and blood cell production. The main sources of vitamin B12 include meat, eggs, and dairy products. For vitamin B12 to be absorbed by the body, it must bind to intrinsic factor, a protein secreted by cells in the stomach.
Causes of vitamin B12 deficiency include:
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A diet low in vitamin B12 (for example, a strict vegetarian diet excluding all meat, fish, dairy products, and eggs)
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Abdominal or intestinal surgery that affects intrinsic factor production or absorption
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Fish tape worm
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The risk factors are related to the causes.
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- Neuropathy
- Breast Cancer
- Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
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• Definition
• Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Symptoms & Signs
• Prevention
• Diagnosis & Tests
• Treatment
• Prognosis
• Complications
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Crohn's Disease
• Malabsorption
• Pernicious Anemia
Tests & Exams
• Bone Marrow Aspiration
• CBC
• Hematocrit (HCT)
• LDH
• Pap Smear
• Schilling Test
Other Topics
• Appetite - Decreased
• Babinski's Reflex
• Balanced Diet
• Breathing Difficulty
• Central Nervous System
• Chronic
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Intrinsic Factor
• Numbness and Tingling
• Paleness
• Vitamin B12
• Weakness
Review Date : 6/5/2003
Reviewed By : Ezra E. W. Cohen, M.D., Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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