Is Pernicious Anemia Rare? What You Should Really Know
What exactly is pernicious anemia?
Pernicious anemia is a type of vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, caused not by diet or lack of supplements, but by your own immune system messing with your stomach. More specifically, your body attacks the cells that produce intrinsic factor, a protein needed to absorb vitamin B12.
Without B12, your body can’t make enough healthy red blood cells. And that leads to fatigue, weakness, nerve issues, and in some cases — scary neurological symptoms.
Oh, and the term “pernicious” came from the old days when the condition was fatal. Thankfully, not anymore. But still, not something to ignore.
So... is pernicious anemia rare?
Not super rare — but not super common either
Technically, pernicious anemia is considered uncommon, not truly rare. In medical terms, “rare” usually means fewer than 200,000 cases in the U.S. per year. Pernicious anemia doesn’t quite fall below that threshold.
Depending on the source, it affects around:
0.1% of the general population
Up to 2% of people over 60
So while you probably won’t hear about it every day, it’s not some unicorn disease either.
Why it might feel rarer than it is
It’s often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Why?
Symptoms are vague (fatigue, brain fog, mood swings)
It can mimic depression or aging
Many doctors test for general anemia, but not always B12 levels or intrinsic factor antibodies
That means a lot of folks could have it… and just don’t know yet.
Who’s more at risk of getting pernicious anemia?
Higher-risk groups include:
People over 50 (risk increases with age)
Women (especially of Northern European descent — weird but true)
People with autoimmune conditions like type 1 diabetes, Hashimoto’s, or vitiligo
Vegans and vegetarians, but their B12 deficiency is usually from diet, not intrinsic factor loss — so it’s technically a different mechanism
Also, if you’ve had gastric surgery (like a sleeve or bypass), you could be at risk too, since the stomach plays a key role in B12 absorption.
How is pernicious anemia diagnosed?
It’s not just a blood test (unfortunately)
Diagnosis usually involves a combo of:
Complete blood count (CBC)
Serum vitamin B12 level
Intrinsic factor antibody test
Methylmalonic acid (MMA) and homocysteine (they’re often elevated)
Sounds complex? It kinda is. I had a cousin who bounced between four different doctors over two years before someone finally ran the right test. Exhaustion, pins and needles, even memory problems — and boom, pernicious anemia.
Moral of the story: always dig deeper if something feels off.
Is pernicious anemia dangerous?
It can be — if left untreated
B12 deficiency affects the nervous system, not just blood. So if untreated, it can cause:
Nerve damage
Balance problems
Memory loss
Even permanent neurological impairment
The good news? It’s treatable. Usually with B12 injections (since the body can’t absorb oral B12 properly). In some cases, high-dose oral supplements still help, but it depends on the person.
Final thoughts: uncommon, but not invisible
So, is pernicious anemia rare? Not exactly. It’s uncommon, often missed, but very real. And if caught early, it’s completely manageable.
The trick is recognizing the signs, pushing for the right tests, and not brushing off symptoms as “just stress” or “getting older.” Because sometimes, what feels vague might be something very specific — and treatable.
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Is 172 cm good for a man?
Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.