Which nutrient deficiency can lead to pernicious anemia?

Pernicious anemia is specifically associated with a deficiency in vitamin B12. This condition arises when the body cannot properly absorb vitamin B12, which is essential for the formation of red blood cells and the maintenance of healthy nerve cells. Vitamin B12 deficiency impairs the production of erythrocytes (red blood cells), leading to larger than normal red blood cells that are inefficient at carrying oxygen.

Pernicious anemia is often a result of an autoimmune condition that damages the stomach cells responsible for producing intrinsic factor, a protein necessary for the absorption of vitamin B12 from the digestive tract. Without adequate absorption of this vital nutrient, the body cannot produce healthy red blood cells, resulting in the symptoms associated with pernicious anemia, such as fatigue, weakness, and neurological issues.

In contrast, deficiencies in iron or folate lead to other forms of anemia. Iron deficiency anemia results from insufficient iron, which is necessary for hemoglobin formation, while folate deficiency anemia can similarly lead to poor red blood cell formation, but neither of these conditions is classified as pernicious anemia. Vitamin C deficiency, while impacting overall health and nutrient absorption, does not directly relate to the production or absorption of vitamin B12.