Background
Pernicious Anemia (PA) is a chronic illness that is caused by impaired absorption of vitamin B-12 due to lack of (IF) intrinsic factor in gastric secretions. It is a condition in which the body lacks a sufficient number of red blood cells (hemoglobin). Present within red blood cells, hemoglobin is important for carrying oxygen in all body tissues. Pernicious anemia is therefore a decrease in red blood cells which occurs when one’s intestines cannot absorb vitamin B12 properly. The body needs vitamin B12 to make red blood cells. Pernicious anemia is most prevalent in Caucasian people of northern European lineage than in ...
