Pernicious Tongue

Gastrointestinal signs and symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency occur in 26% of cases. These include sore tongue, stomatitis, mucosal ulceration, appetite loss, flatulence, and constipation or diarrhea. Appetite loss, excess gas, and diarrhea are probably related to the underlying gastric disorder (i.e., gastric atrophy) in pernicious anemia. Gastrointestinal symptoms may occur in the absence of symptomatic anemia or macrocytosis. 

Symptoms of dehciency may include pernicious anemia, nerve problems and weakness, smooth or sore tongue. 

Deficiency most often occurs in vegeterians or due to pernicious anemia and is associated with an enlarged red tongue. In dark-skinned patient hyperpigmentation, especially in flexures, may occur.29 The recommended daily allowance is 2.4 to 2.8 /ug.112... 

Vitamin B12 is a controlling factor for pernicious anaemia, but since it is difficult to design a diet lacking this vitamin, this condition is very rare. As animal food products are the richest source of vitamin B12, most people that develop deficiency of this vitamin are true vegetarians or infants of vegetarian mothers. Symptoms of Bi2 deficiency have a slow onset, as minute amounts are required and it is efficiently stored, but they include anaemia, a smooth red painful tongue (glossitis)... 

Cyanocobalamin is essential to human health. The hody cannot make properly functioning red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets without it. It is also essential for the production of DNA and nerve cells. People whose diet is deficient in cyanocobalamin are likely to develop pernicious anemia. The symptoms of this disorder include fatigue, weakness, numbness, blurred vision, poor memory, confusion, hallucinations, personality changes, a smooth shiny tongue, stiffness, diarrhea, poor appetite, slow growth in children, and reduced sensitivity to pain and pressure. 

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