Vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia

Question 1

1) Name 2 causes of B12 deficiency anaemia
2) Name 2 features of B12 deficiency anaemia

Answer 1

1) Pernicious anaemia, vegan or poor diet, post gastrectomy, pathology of the terminal ileum i.e. crohn’s
2) Macrocytic RBCs, sore tongue, some neurological (peripheral nephropathy with paresthesia, loss of proprioception and visual disturbances) and neuropsychological symptoms

Question 2

Pernicious anaemia
1) What is the pathophysiology of pernicious anaemia?
2) How can it be treated?

Answer 2

1) Normally, parietal cells of the stomach secrete intrinsic factor which is responsible for the absorption of vitB12 in the ileum. Pernicious anaemia is an autoimmune condition where antibodies form against the parietal cells or intrinsic factor, meaning that B12 can’t be absorbed
2) Intramuscular hydroxycobalamin