What is Vitamin Deficiency Anemia Called? Understanding the Types

December 31, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the World Health Organization, nutritional deficiencies are a major global cause of anemia. This diverse group of disorders is often referred to by a more specific medical term, so understanding what is vitamin deficiency anemia called is key to accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Quick Summary

A lack of certain vitamins, especially B12 and folate, can cause megaloblastic anemia, a type of vitamin deficiency anemia. Pernicious anemia is a specific autoimmune disease that impairs vitamin B12 absorption.

Key Points

Megaloblastic Anemia: The medical term for anemia caused by a deficiency of vitamin B12 or folate, which results in abnormally large red blood cells.
Pernicious Anemia: A specific type of B12 deficiency anemia caused by an autoimmune condition that prevents B12 absorption.
Macrocytic Anemia: A broader classification for any anemia characterized by larger-than-normal red blood cells, which includes megaloblastic anemia.
Causes of Deficiency: Can be due to poor diet, malabsorption issues from digestive disorders like Crohn's or Celiac disease, or autoimmune problems.
Symptoms: Common signs include fatigue, weakness, pale skin, a sore tongue, and neurological problems like numbness or tingling.
Treatment: Involves supplementing the deficient vitamin, often through injections for B12 malabsorption issues and oral tablets for folate deficiency.

What is vitamin deficiency anemia called?

Vitamin deficiency anemia is not a single condition but a blanket term for a group of anemias caused by insufficient levels of certain essential nutrients. The most common form, arising from a lack of vitamin B12 or folate (vitamin B9), is medically known as megaloblastic anemia. In this condition, the body produces abnormally large, immature red blood cells, called megaloblasts, that cannot function correctly.

Within the broader category of megaloblastic anemia, there is a specific type of vitamin B12 deficiency anemia with its own name: pernicious anemia. This autoimmune condition prevents the absorption of vitamin B12 from the digestive tract, regardless of dietary intake.

The role of vitamins in red blood cell production

For the body to produce healthy, functional red blood cells, a complex process called erythropoiesis must occur. Several vitamins act as crucial cofactors in this process. When these nutrients are missing, the red blood cells that are produced are often malformed and ineffective. Here's a breakdown of the key vitamins involved:

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin): Essential for DNA synthesis and the proper maturation of red blood cells. A deficiency leads to large, abnormal cells, resulting in megaloblastic anemia.
Folate (Vitamin B9): Works in tandem with vitamin B12 in DNA synthesis. A lack of folate also impairs red blood cell maturation and leads to megaloblastic anemia.
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid): Plays a role in iron absorption and the conversion of folic acid to its active form. Severe vitamin C deficiency (scurvy) can lead to anemia.
Vitamin E: This antioxidant can prevent the breakdown of red blood cells (hemolytic anemia), especially in premature infants.

Causes of nutritional anemia

While poor diet is a straightforward cause, many cases of vitamin deficiency anemia are due to malabsorption issues. Some common causes include:

Dietary insufficiency: Not consuming enough foods rich in specific vitamins. This is common in vegan or vegetarian diets lacking proper supplementation for B12.
Malabsorption syndromes: Conditions like Celiac disease, Crohn's disease, or chronic intestinal inflammation can prevent the body from absorbing nutrients, even with a balanced diet.
Autoimmune conditions: Pernicious anemia is an example where the immune system attacks stomach cells, preventing intrinsic factor production, which is necessary for B12 absorption.
Medication: Certain drugs, including some used for seizures or ulcerative colitis, can interfere with folate or B12 absorption.
Surgery: Gastric bypass or other stomach and intestinal surgeries can impair nutrient absorption.

Symptoms and diagnosis

Symptoms of megaloblastic or pernicious anemia often develop slowly and can be subtle. They are related to the decreased ability of the blood to carry oxygen. Key symptoms include:

Persistent fatigue and weakness
Shortness of breath, especially with exertion
Pale or yellowish skin
A sore or swollen tongue (glossitis)
Neurological problems such as numbness, tingling in hands and feet, memory loss, and poor balance

Diagnosis typically involves a blood test called a Complete Blood Count (CBC), which measures the size and number of red blood cells. A high Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) indicates large red blood cells, a hallmark of macrocytic anemia. Further blood tests measure specific vitamin levels and may check for antibodies related to pernicious anemia.

Comparison of key nutritional anemias


Feature	Megaloblastic Anemia	Pernicious Anemia	Iron-Deficiency Anemia	Hemolytic Anemia (Vitamin E)
Primary Cause	Deficiency of Vitamin B12 or Folate	Autoimmune attack on intrinsic factor, causing B12 deficiency	Insufficient dietary iron or chronic blood loss	Lack of Vitamin E, leading to red blood cell breakdown
Red Blood Cell Size	Abnormally large (Macrocytic)	Abnormally large (Macrocytic)	Abnormally small (Microcytic)	Variable, often prematurely destroyed
Key Laboratory Finding	High MCV, low B12 or folate levels	High MCV, low B12, positive intrinsic factor antibodies	Low serum iron, low ferritin, high TIBC	Red blood cell breakdown indicators, low Vitamin E
Primary Symptoms	Fatigue, paleness, neurological issues	Fatigue, paleness, severe neurological symptoms	Fatigue, paleness, pica (craving non-food items)	Fatigue, paleness, jaundice (yellowing skin)
Treatment	B12 injections/supplements, folic acid pills	Lifelong B12 injections or high-dose oral B12 supplements	Iron supplements	Vitamin E supplements

Treatment and management

Treatment for vitamin deficiency anemia focuses on replenishing the missing vitamin and addressing the underlying cause.

Megaloblastic Anemia (B12 and Folate):

Vitamin B12: This is typically treated with injections, especially if malabsorption is the cause. High-dose oral tablets, nose sprays, or gels may also be used. For pernicious anemia, lifelong treatment with injections is often necessary.
Folate: Folic acid tablets taken orally can effectively restore folate levels. Dietary changes to include more leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, and fortified cereals are also recommended.

Dietary considerations:

Include foods rich in B12, such as meat, fish, eggs, and dairy, or fortified cereals for those on plant-based diets.
For folate, incorporate more broccoli, asparagus, spinach, and legumes.

Conclusion

While a single name for all vitamin deficiency anemias does not exist, the most common forms—megaloblastic anemia and pernicious anemia—are directly linked to shortages of vitamin B12 and folate. Recognizing these specific terms is critical for healthcare professionals to correctly diagnose the condition and identify the root cause, which can range from simple dietary gaps to complex autoimmune disorders. Early and accurate treatment, which often involves supplementation and lifestyle changes, can effectively reverse the condition and prevent long-term neurological complications. Consulting a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan is essential if you experience persistent symptoms of anemia.

Learn more about different types of anemia from authoritative sources like Cleveland Clinic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Megaloblastic anemia is a type of vitamin deficiency anemia caused by a lack of vitamin B12 or folate. It's named for the abnormally large and immature red blood cells, called megaloblasts, that the bone marrow produces.

Pernicious anemia is a specific form of vitamin B12 deficiency anemia. While many cases of B12 deficiency are dietary, pernicious anemia is an autoimmune disease where the body cannot absorb B12 due to a lack of intrinsic factor.

Yes, a deficiency in folate (vitamin B9) is a direct cause of megaloblastic anemia. This can be due to poor diet, malabsorption, or increased bodily needs, such as during pregnancy.

Diagnosis involves a physical exam and blood tests. A Complete Blood Count (CBC) is used to check red blood cell size and count. Further tests measure specific vitamin levels in the blood, and may also check for pernicious anemia antibodies.

Macrocytic anemia is a classification for any anemia in which red blood cells are larger than normal. Megaloblastic anemia (caused by B12 or folate deficiency) is a common type of macrocytic anemia.

Yes, severe vitamin C deficiency, known as scurvy, can contribute to anemia. Vitamin C is important for absorbing iron and converting folate into its active form, and a lack can impact red blood cell health.

Treatment depends on the specific vitamin deficiency and its cause. This can include dietary changes, oral supplements (tablets), or injections. For severe malabsorption or pernicious anemia, B12 injections may be required lifelong.

Yes, it is possible. Many cases of vitamin deficiency anemia, especially pernicious anemia, progress slowly over years, and the body can adapt, masking or delaying symptoms until the deficiency becomes severe.