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Pernicious Anemia Learning Center
Causes could include:
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Pernicious anemia is caused by a lack of intrinsic factor. Intrinsic factor is a protein produced by the stomach that binds to vitamin B12. The combination of vitamin B12 and intrinsic factor is absorbed in the lower part of the small intestine. W...
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Intrinsic factor is produced by specialized cells within the stomach called parietal cells. When these parietal cells shrink in size (atrophy), they produce less and less intrinsic factor. Eventually, the parietal cells stop functioning altogether...
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Intrinsic factor is a natural substance normally found in the stomach. You need this substance to digest vitamin B12. Lack of intrinsic factor leads to pernicious anemia and vitamin B12 deficiency. Babies that are born without intrinsic factor can...
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