Acloridria: Lack of Stomach Acid Raises Nutrient Deficiency Risks

Acloridria is the complete absence of hydrochloric acid production in the stomach, causing a markedly elevated gastric pH. Without acid, protein digestion and the breakdown of minerals and vitamins are impaired.

Patients commonly experience nausea, abdominal bloating, reflux, alternating diarrhea or constipation, weakness, weight loss, and sometimes hair loss. The condition hampers absorption of calcium, iron, folic acid, vitamins C, D and B12, leading to malnutrition and anemia—both pernicious anemia (vitamin B12 deficiency) and iron‑deficiency anemia.

Typical causes include chronic Helicobacter pylori infection, autoimmune gastritis, atrophic gastric mucosa, prolonged use of acid‑suppressing medications, hypothyroidism, and prior gastric surgery. Diagnosis and management require a gastroenterologist, with treatment directed at the underlying cause and supplementation of deficient nutrients.