Which type of anemia is associated with a deficiency of intrinsic factor?

The type of anemia associated with a deficiency of intrinsic factor is pernicious anemia. Intrinsic factor is a glycoprotein produced by the stomach's parietal cells and is essential for the absorption of vitamin B12 in the intestines. Vitamin B12 is crucial for red blood cell production and DNA synthesis. When intrinsic factor is deficient, whether due to autoimmune destruction of parietal cells or other factors, the absorption of vitamin B12 is impaired. This leads to a reduction in red blood cell production, resulting in the characteristic macrocytic anemia observed in pernicious anemia.

In contrast, iron deficiency anemia arises from insufficient iron, which is necessary for hemoglobin production, while aplastic anemia is a condition where the bone marrow fails to produce enough blood cells. Sideroblastic anemia involves a defect in hemoglobin synthesis associated with abnormal iron metabolism. Thus, pernicious anemia is specifically linked to intrinsic factor deficiency and its consequences on vitamin B12 absorption and red blood cell development.