Autoimmune Gastritis: Causes, Symptoms, and What Works
When your immune system turns on your own stomach, you get autoimmune gastritis, a condition where the body attacks the cells that produce stomach acid and intrinsic factor. Also known as type A gastritis, it’s not caused by stress or spicy food—it’s an internal mistake that slowly destroys the stomach lining. This isn’t just indigestion. Over time, it leads to gastric atrophy, the thinning and loss of stomach tissue, which means less acid, less digestion, and trouble absorbing vitamin B12. That’s why many people with autoimmune gastritis end up with pernicious anemia, a blood disorder caused by B12 deficiency. It’s a chain reaction: damaged stomach → no intrinsic factor → B12 can’t be absorbed → nerves and blood cells suffer.
What makes this tricky is that symptoms show up late. You might feel tired, have numb hands, or get dizzy—signs your body’s running low on B12—but you won’t know it’s from your stomach until tests are done. Blood tests for parietal cell antibodies, the immune proteins that target stomach acid producers are key to diagnosis. Many patients are misdiagnosed for years, treated for acid reflux or IBS, when the real problem is deeper. It’s often linked to other autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or type 1 diabetes. If you have one, you’re more likely to develop another. And unlike H. pylori gastritis, antibiotics won’t fix this. The damage is done by your own immune system.
There’s no cure, but management works. Regular B12 shots or high-dose oral supplements keep symptoms at bay. Monitoring iron and folate levels matters too, since low acid affects how these nutrients are absorbed. Some people need lifelong blood tests to catch anemia before it hits hard. The good news? Once you know what’s going on, you can take control. You won’t feel better overnight, but with the right tracking and treatment, you can live normally. Below, you’ll find real guides on testing, supplements, and how to talk to your doctor about this hidden condition.
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Atrophic Gastroenteritis and Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Essential Facts and How to Manage Them
Learn how atrophic gastroenteritis leads to vitamin B12 deficiency, spot symptoms, get diagnosed, and choose the right treatment to prevent anemia and nerve damage.
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