achlorhydria /ā′klôrhī″drē·ə/ [Gk, a + chloros, not green, hydor, water] , an abnormal condition characterized by the absence of hydrochloric acid in gastric secretions. Achlorhydria occurs most commonly in atrophy of the gastric mucosa, gastric carcinoma, and pernicious anemia. It is also found in severe iron deficiency anemia. Malignancy is expected when achlorhydria is seen in combination with peptic ulcers. Protein digestion is severely impaired in patients with achlorhydria, but overall digestion in the digestive tract is relatively normal because trypsin and other enzymes of the pancreas and small intestine are not affected. See also achylia. −achlorhydric, adj.
