Read statement below and reply. In your response, discuss other potential therapies available for this individual. Explain the pathophysiology behind the development of this type of anemia.
Intrinsic factor is a glycoprotein that is secreted by the parietal cells of the gastric mucosa. It absorbs vitamin B-12 in the small intestine. Vitamin B-12 is a nutrient that is required to allow proper red blood cell production and function in the body. Failure to produce or utilize intrinsic factor results in pernicious anemia.
Pernicious anemia, also called Addison’s anemia is caused by vitamin B-12 deficiency. It is also said to be mainly caused by an autoimmune process where an individual is unable to produce intrinsic factor. The risk factors associated with pernicious anemia include being sixty years of age or older, being of Northern European or Scandinavian descent, having type 1 diabetes or any other autoimmune condition, or certain gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohn’s disease, having surgery that removes a part of the stomach, and having a family history of pernicious anemia.
The treatment for pernicious anemia involves treating any existing vitamin B-12 deficiency. Treatment consists of vitamin B-12 injections that are usually followed closely. During this course of therapy, vitamin B-12 blood levels are monitored and adjustments in vitamin B-12 dosings are done according to the blood level results. Vitamin B-12 injections are usually given daily or weekly, and after vitamin B-12 levels are normal, the injection is given once per month. By this time the shots may be self-administered. The doctor may also recommend oral doses of vitamin B-12 supplements instead of the injection. This is however dependent on how deficient in intrinsic factor the individual is, as there might be poor absorption of the oral supplements. Therefore the injections my be the sole treatment of pernicious anemia.
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