[Association of primary autoimmune hypothyroidism with Addison's anemia]

Intestinal absorption of vitamin B12 as measured by the Schillin test was studied in 50 patients with primary hypothyroidism of autoimmune origin. The impaired absorption of vitamin B12 was found in 24% of the patients studied, and in 6% a clinically evident form of pernicious anemia was diagnosed. The patients with hypothyroidism and simultaneous defect in absorption of vitamin B12 were characterized by more frequent occurrence of the high titer of antithyroid microsomal antibodies, higher blood serum concentration of TSH and lower blood content of hemoglobin as compared with hypothyroid patients having normal intestinal absorption of vitamin B12.