Anemia of B12 deficiency

Treatment:

Treatment depends on the cause of the anemia.

Pernicious anemia requires life long therapy with vitamin B12 injections.

Anemia caused by dietary insufficiency of vitamin B12 can be corrected by oral (by mouth) vitamin replacement in combination with a more balanced diet. Initially it may be treated with vitamin B12 injections.

Anemia caused by malabsorption (inadequate absorption of nutrients from the intestinal tract) is treated with vitamin B12 injections until the condition improves.

Expectations (prognosis):

The anemia generally is corrected by therapy.

Complications:

Central nervous system signs and symptoms may be irreversible if treatment is not initiated within 6 months of the onset of these symptoms. Vitamin B12 affects the maturation of all epithelial cells (cells that form the outer surface of the body and line inner passageways) and a deficiency may cause a false positive pap smear.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if symptoms indicate anemia of vitamin B12 deficiency.