Final answer:
Monitoring vitamin B12 levels is critical in the treatment of pernicious anemia to ensure effective absorption and management of the condition. Monitoring blood counts and other nutritional deficiencies such as folate is also important, along with assessing gastrointestinal function and other health factors that can affect nutrient levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
The treatment of pernicious anemia requires monitoring of vitamin B12 levels because it involves dealing with the body's inability to absorb this essential nutrient properly. Since pernicious anemia is associated with a deficiency in vitamin B12, primarily due to poor absorption which can occur in various conditions such as Crohn's disease, surgical removal of the stomach or intestines, and AIDS, monitoring is crucial to ensure that treatment is effective and that levels are within the normal range.
Additionally, it is important to monitor for potential side effects of treatment and to check for the presence of other nutritional deficiencies, such as folate, which can also lead to megaloblastic anemia. Blood counts, including red blood cell count and hemoglobin levels, are typically monitored to assess the effectiveness of the treatment and to ensure that no further complications, such as iron deficiency anemia, occur.
In some cases, other tests such as the Schilling test may be performed to assess vitamin B12 absorption. Monitoring these levels can help guide dietary recommendations, the administration of vitamin B12 supplements, and in serious cases, more intensive treatments. Also, during treatment, it is essential to assess other factors that might affect the absorption or levels of nutrients, like gastrointestinal function and the presence of chronic infections.