B12 deficiency

[jigsaw7]

Can I have B12 deficiency without having pernicious anemia? My red blodd cell count is within the 'normal' limits. I have chest pains quite regularly and have been getting the B12 injection for about a week, first daily for 4 days and I had my first weekly one last week.

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero]

I have pernacious anemia, PA....that was masked by CLL... have you been tested for intrinsic factor or IF? RBC can be normal, but the cells are not functioning in a low B12 situation... there is also an anti-depression role to B12 .

PA is an autoimmune disease, and fairly rare , but you can certainly have low B12 and folate...

Vegan diets and so on, may require B12 supplementation... sometimes shots...

I know when my B12 is dropping, and I can feel it improve after a shot, but have been taking injections for years...

You might see a cardiologist if the chest pains continue...

~chris

[jigsaw7 in reply to Cllcanada]

Hi. No, I was last given the whole protein electrophoresis slew (again) and then lots of autoimmune:ANA Reflex 9 ENA, SSA Antibody, SSB ANtibody, RNP Antibody, SCL, etc. and Folic Acid, Acute Hepatitis, Vitamin B 12 (my score was a low 171!). I'd tested negative for H pylori but my father and sister have been taking the B12 shot for years. I know I have Sjogren's but my rbc count is normal. I don't see where, in all these tests, that I have been tested for IF. I've read a lot about it but I guess since I've had no indigestion issues and my appetite is hearty (touch wood), I wasn't tested for that....

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero in reply to jigsaw7]

They have done extensive testing... 👍🏼 mostly for Sjogren

Intrinsic Factor, IF uptakes B12...nothing to really do with appetite, indigestion etc. Ask if you have been tested... I think its important to know, without it B12 from meats primarily, B12 pass straight through... as do supplements.. etc...your body does not 'see' B 12.

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Int...

Test

labtestsonline.org/tests/in...

[TinyTattooedToes]

I get quarterly b12 injections and don’t have pernicious anemia. Initially ended up in hospital my b12 was so low, body was literally shutting down and the injections turned everything round. Got them every day for 2 weeks, then every 2nd day for 2 months now been on every quarter for years with no dramatic hospital stays again 😁

[MsLockYourPosts Passed Volunteer]

I do not have pernicious anemia, but my B12 tested very low the first time it was tested. I am a vegetarian working on vegan. B12 sublingual tablets are what my doctor started me on, and they have worked for me for many years.

I would definitely ask some questions. Has your IF been tested at some point and if not can you have it tested. Also, does your doctor see you needing ongoing B12 injections, if so how often, or are the injections to boost things and could you then be maintained with sublingual tablets.