Pernicious anemia is treated with supplementation of which vitamin?

Pernicious anemia is treated with supplementation of which vitamin?

• A. Iron
• B. B12
• C. Folic Acid
• D. Vitamin C

Answer: (B)

Pernicious anemia stems from the loss of intrinsic factor, the protein needed to absorb vitamin B12 in the gut. Without enough B12, red blood cell development is impaired, leading to a type of megaloblastic anemia. The fix is to replace the missing vitamin, typically with injections or high-dose oral B12 that bypasses the need for intrinsic factor. So, supplementing vitamin B12 directly addresses the underlying deficiency. Iron would target iron-deficiency anemia, folic acid treats folate-related issues (and can mask B12 deficiency if given alone), and vitamin C has no role in correcting this condition.

Pernicious anemia stems from the loss of intrinsic factor, the protein needed to absorb vitamin B12 in the gut. Without enough B12, red blood cell development is impaired, leading to a type of megaloblastic anemia. The fix is to replace the missing vitamin, typically with injections or high-dose oral B12 that bypasses the need for intrinsic factor. So, supplementing vitamin B12 directly addresses the underlying deficiency. Iron would target iron-deficiency anemia, folic acid treats folate-related issues (and can mask B12 deficiency if given alone), and vitamin C has no role in correcting this condition.