Addisonian pernicious anaemia

A chronic progressive anemia [reduction of red blood cells below the normal) of older adults, named for Thomas Addison, caused by failure of absorption of vitamin B12 due to lack of availability of intrinsic factor. Characterized by numbness and tingling, weakness, and a sore smooth tongue, as well as dyspnea after slight exertion, faintness, pallor of the skin and mucous membranes, anorexia, diarrhea, loss of weight, and fever.