What type of anemia results from a deficiency in vitamin B12?

Prepare for the AAB Medical Technologist (MT) Generalist Exam with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question includes hints and explanations to boost your understanding. Get exam-ready now!

Pernicious anemia is a specific type of anemia that results from a deficiency of vitamin B12, which is essential for proper red blood cell formation and DNA synthesis. This condition is primarily due to the inability to absorb vitamin B12 from the gastrointestinal tract, often caused by the absence of intrinsic factor, a protein secreted by the stomach that is necessary for vitamin B12 absorption.

In pernicious anemia, the lack of vitamin B12 leads to the production of abnormal red blood cells, which are typically larger than normal (macrocytic) and may lead to various symptoms, including fatigue, weakness, and neurological issues. The destruction of myelin in nerve cells due to vitamin B12 deficiency can result in neuropathies and cognitive disturbances.

The other types of anemia mentioned do not stem from vitamin B12 deficiency. Iron deficiency anemia is caused by a lack of iron, aplastic anemia involves a failure of bone marrow to produce blood cells, and sickle cell anemia is a genetic disorder leading to the production of abnormal hemoglobin. Each of these conditions has distinct mechanisms and treatment approaches, differentiating them clearly from pernicious anemia and its relation to vitamin B12 deficiency.

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