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 DCI Home: Blood Diseases: Pernicious Anemia: Treatments

      Pernicious Anemia
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How Is Pernicious Anemia Treated?

Doctors treat pernicious anemia by replacing the missing vitamin B12 in the body. People who have pernicious anemia need treatment, usually for the rest of their lives. Without treatment, pernicious anemia can cause serious problems and can even be fatal.

Goals of Treatment

The goals of treating pernicious anemia are to:

  • Stop the anemia and symptoms through vitamin B12 treatment
  • Prevent complications, such as heart or nerve damage
  • Provide ongoing followup to make sure that the treatment is working
  • Treat the underlying cause, if one can be found

Specific Types of Treatment

Fortunately, pernicious anemia is usually easy to treat with either vitamin shots (injections) or pills. Symptoms may begin to improve within a few days after the start of treatment.

  • Vitamin B12 shots. People with pernicious anemia may get daily or weekly shots at first, then one shot every month. Some people get vitamin B12 shots and also take vitamin B12 pills.
  • Vitamin B12 pills. Many people with pernicious anemia can be treated successfully with vitamin B12 pills. Often, the pills work as well as the shots. Because only a small amount of vitamin B12 is absorbed by the body, high doses are given.

Vitamin B12 can also be given in a gel or spray for the nose.

Treatment for the underlying causes of vitamin B12 deficiency may be needed. To help the body absorb vitamin B12, for example, a person might need antibiotics to treat stomach infections or surgery to treat intestinal problems. If the vitamin B12 level is due to a poor diet, then a person can learn how to correct the diet.

The doctor may also recommend limiting physical activity until anemia symptoms have improved.


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