Pernicious anemia is an auto-immune condition, which means it is caused by your immune system attacking your own healthy cells. In the case of pernicious anemia, the destroyed cells can result in a deficiency of vitamin B12. One of the symptoms of pernicious anemia is a characteristic change in your fingernails.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 exists primarily in animal-based foods, such as eggs, poultry, fish, pork and beef. Vitamin B12 is also added to some foods, such as fortified breads and cereals. Vitamin B12 plays a role in many physiologic processes, including the formation of DNA. Vitamin B12 is also critical for making new red blood cells, and a lack of vitamin B12 can cause low levels of red blood cells, or anemia.
Pernicious Anemia
A person with pernicious anemia cannot produce enough red blood cells because of a vitamin B12-deficiency caused by impaired vitamin absorption . For vitamin B12 to be absorbed properly, your intestines need a substance known as "intrinsic factor," which is produced by cells in your stomach. If you have pernicious anemia, your immune system attacks the cells that produce intrinsic factor, causing vitamin B12 to be absorbed poorly.
Nails and Vitamin B12
The vitamins in your body maintain the health of all of your tissues, including your nails. Changes in your nail color or the health of your nails can be a sign of a vitamin deficiency. A lack of vitamin B12 in your body can cause your nails to become unusually dark. They may also appear to be flat or spoon-shaped.
Considerations
If you are concerned that changes to your nails are a sign of a vitamin deficiency, talk to your doctor. Pernicious anemia may require special routes of vitamin B12 supplementation, such as sublingual B12 or injections. You should not try to self-diagnose or treat a vitamin deficiency without the care and supervision of a trained medical professional.
