Anemia - B12 deficiency

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Megaloblastic anemia - view of red blood cells

Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention

Anemia - B12 deficiency

Treatment depends on the cause of the anemia:

• Pernicious anemia requires lifelong therapy with vitamin B12 injections.
• Anemia caused by a lack of vitamin B12 can be corrected by vitamin pills combined with a more balanced diet. It may be treated initially with vitamin B12 injections.
• Anemia caused by malabsorption is treated with vitamin B12 injections until the condition improves.

Treatment for this form of anemia is usually effective.

• The signs and symptoms related to the central nervous system may be irreversible if treatment is not begun within 6 months of when these symptoms begin.
• Vitamin B12 affects epithelial cells (cells that form the outer surface of the body and line inner passageways). Therefore, a lack of B12 may cause a false-positive Pap smear.

Call your health care provider if you have any of the symptoms of anemia.

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