Full Definition of PLASMA. 1. : a green faintly translucent quartz. 2. [New Latin, from Late Latin] a: the fluid part of blood, lymph, or milk as distinguished from suspended material; especially: blood plasma b: the juice that can be expressed from muscle.
Pernicious anemia is one form of anemia, an abnormal condition in which there is a decrease in the number of red blood cells in the blood. Pernicious anemia is caused by a lack of vitamin B12, which is vital to the normal develoment of red blood cells. Pernicious anemia is also called vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, and is the most common form of a variety of types of vitamin deficiency anemias. Pernicious anemia can be serious, even life-threatening, if untreated. Vitamin B12 is crucial to the process of producing red blood cells in the body.
Why the Test is Performed. This test is most often done when other blood test tests suggest a condition called megaloblastic anemia. Pernicious anemia is a form of megaloblastic anemia caused by poor vitamin B12 absorption. This can occur when the stomach makes less of the substance the body needs to properly absorb vitamin B12. Your doctor may also order a vitamin B12 test if you have certain nervous system symptoms.