Dorothy is a 65-year-old woman with pernicious anemia.What treatment would her doctor recommend?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Pernicious anemia is caused by a deficiency of vitamin B-12, which is essential for the production of healthy red blood cells. Vitamin B-12 cannot be absorbed through the stomach due to a lack of intrinsic factor, which is a substance secreted by the stomach lining. Therefore, vitamin B-12 injections are the most effective treatment for this condition. Vitamin C supplements may be helpful for general health, but they are not a treatment for pernicious anemia. Iron supplements are not effective for pernicious anemia because iron is not the nutrient that is deficient. A vegan diet may be beneficial for many health reasons, but it can be more difficult to obtain sufficient vitamin B-12 on a vegan diet, and may not be the best recommendation for someone with pernicious anemia.

Dorothy Is a 65-Year-Old Woman with Pernicious Anemia