Pernicious Anemia. I. Remission by Small Oral Doses of Purified Vitamin B 12. ∗

Abstract

Summary

1. Hematologic and clinical remissions were induced 11 times in 8 patients with pernicious anemia in relapse, and in 1 patient with non-pernicious megaloblastic anemia, by small oral doses of purified vit. B₁₂ without added intrinsic factor. The effective dosage range was 5 to 16.8 μg per day. 2. Unequivocal failure occurred in 1 case of relapsed pernicious anemia. 3. These results further confirm the suggestion that in pernicious anemia there is a quantitative rather than a qualitative change in gastric secretion, and that variations in the amounts of intrinsic factor remaining in pernicious anemia patients may be responsible for varying responses to oral vit. B₁₂. 4. A trial period of vit. B₁₂ alone should precede any study with a vit. B₁₂ plus intrinsic factor preparation.