A 39-year-old woman presents with dyspnea, fatigue, pallor, tachycardia, anosmia, and diarrhea. Laboratory results are: hematocrit 32\% (normal 36.1\%-44.3\%), MCV $102 \mathrm{fL}$ (normal 78-98fL), 0.3\% reticulocytes (normal $0.5 \%-2.0 \%$ ), $95 \mathrm{pg} / \mathrm{mL}$ vitamin $\mathrm{B}_{12}$ (normal 200-900 pg/mL), and an abnormal stage I of the Schilling test. Autoantibodies are detected against a cell type located in one region of the GI tract. In which regions would those cells be found?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The autoantibodies are likely against parietal cells, which are located in the body of the stomach. These cells are responsible for producing intrinsic factor, necessary for vitamin B12 absorption. The patient's symptoms and lab results suggest pernicious anemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency.

A 39-Year-Old Woman Presents with Dyspnea, Fatigue, Pallor, Tachycardia, Anosmia 102fL102 \mathrm{fL}102fL

A 39-Year-Old Woman Presents with Dyspnea, Fatigue, Pallor, Tachycardia, Anosmia $102 \mathrm{fL}$