MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Lack of intrinsic factor

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Lack of intrinsic factor

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Illustrations Alternative Names	Definition

Illustrations

Megaloblastic anemia - view of red blood cells

Alternative Names Return to top

Intrinsic factor - lack of

Definition Return to top

Intrinsic factor is a natural substance normally present in the stomach. It is essential to the digestion of vitamin B-12. Lack of intrinsic factor leads to pernicious anemia and vitamin B-12 deficiency.

Babies that are born without intrinsic factor cannot properly absorb vitamin B-12 starting around 6 months of age. The juvenile type of lack of intrinsic factor tends to manifest itself after the age of ten.

Update Date: 2/6/2007

Updated by: William Matsui, MD, Assistant Professor of Oncology, Division of Hematologic Malignancies, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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