Pernicious Anaemia
Pernicious Anaemia, Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency is the name of the condition which occurs due to a lack of either B12 or folate. This causes the body to produce undeveloped or not optimal red blood cells, these tend to be larger than usual, known as megaloblastic anaemia, meaning that they cannot function efficiently.
What are the general symptoms?
Fatigue
Lethargy
Breathlessness
Feeling faint
Loss of appetite or weight loss
Headaches
Pale skin
Heart palpitations
Tinnitus
Other symptoms include:
If your anaemia is caused by a vitamin B12 deficiency, you may experience the following:
Pale yellow tongue
Mouth ulcers
Sore and red tongue
Pins and needles
Disturbed vision
Irritability
Depression
Memory issues (Dementia)
If your anaemia is caused by a folate deficiency, you may experience the following:
Muscle weakness
Depression
Reduced sense of taste
Diarrhoea
Tingling feet and hands
Causes
Pernicious Anaemia is an autoimmune condition that affects your stomach. Typically, vitamin B12 is combined with a protein called intrinsic factor in your stomach, this combination is then absorbed into the body within the distal ileum (part of the gut). Pernicious Anaemia causes your immune system to attack the cells in your stomach that produce the intrinsic factor, meaning your body is unable to absorb Vitamin B12.
The cause of this type of Anaemia is unknown, however, it is more common in women around the age of 60. People with a family history of autoimmune conditions are also more prone to Pernicious Anaemia.
Diagnosis
A variety of blood tests will be conducted to diagnose the condition. The tests will check for:
Haemoglobin levels (to check if you have a lower level)
Whether your red blood cells are larger than normal
Levels of B12 in your blood
Levels of Folate in your blood
How it is treated conventionally?
Vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia is usually treated with injections of vitamin B12. There are typically two types: Hydroxocobalamin (this is usually recommended) and Cyanocobalamin. Initially, youll have these injections every other day until your symptoms begin to improve.
How does Surrey Centre for Nutrition work with Pernicious Anaemia?
To bring pernicious anaemia into remission and improve symptoms we need to understand what is causing the attack on the cells producing intrinsic factors in the stomach. Using a functional medicine approach, we will uncover the underlying causes and triggers. We will start with a paper based case review collecting and collating information from your health history, along with a current diet diary and culminating in completing a functional medicine timeline. This gives us an idea of some of the most likely triggers. From here we look to run functional testing to pinpoint specific factors such as food, chemical, and pathogenic reactivity, gastrointestinal health and nutritional sufficiency which may be resulting in the autoimmune attack.
Our focus is on the main pillars of functional medicine which are diet and nutrition, stress and lifestyle, infection, toxins and detoxification and gut health, based upon your case review and any tests results we have we will put together protocols to address the imbalance in any of these key focus areas.
Are you ready to work with us to reach your health goals?
If you or someone you know is suffering from the symptoms or conditions listed above, Surrey Centre for Nutrition may be able to help. We typically work with clients for 3-6 months depending on your health concerns. Are you interested in working with us?
Book a discovery call to see how the Surrey Centre for Nutrition can help
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