Just diagnosed...

[ChelleF]

After weeks of feeling awful (tired, dizzy, palpitations and the sighs) it's finally been diagnosed that I have pernicious anaemia with a b12 level of 111. I had my first b12 injection today (and feel no better in fact I slept for five hours!!)

I have a few questions...

How low is my level is comparison?

I am having six injections over 2 weeks, when will I feel better?

Does everyone who has PA struggle to absorb B12 or are there different variants?

Do I need to make lifestyle changes?

Sorry for all the questions.

Thanks for any help you can give

[Suffering]

I was diagnosed with pa in January with a level of 106. We are all different when it comes to feeling better it might take months or could even be years. Ask your doctor about doing other test like your folate and vitamin d. As folate and b12 work together and vitamin d can cause your bones to weaken I think that's right can't remember as I get brain fog. I had to make lifestyle changes as I can't do much at the moment as my hands go numb and have pins and needles all the time also lose my balance quiet a lot but as I said before everyone is different. pernicious-anaemia-society .org

[Hidden]

Try reading round this website:

b12deficiency.info

In the "Very Useful Links" section you will find links to the PAS, B12d.org, and to the Facebook Group. You can read the PAS forum without being a member, lots of research and info, as well as personal stories in the "My Story" section.

Very important: folate and iron (check levels), B-Complex, eat potassium rich foods, rest (you may feel worse before you feel better).

Also consider reading the books:

Could It Be B12?: An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses (Sally Pacholok /Jeffrey Stuart)

Pernicious Anaemia: The Forgotton Disease (Martyn Hooper)

Living With Pernicious Anaemia and B12 Deficiency (Martyn Hooper)

Hampster

[johnbarriesmith]

check to see if autoimmune runs in either side of your family , you may have to insist they do more tests .

[B12Turbo]

Hi Chelli F

Re your questions:-

1. The G.P's general reference level is normally 150 to 1000, but that is only a Blood Serum reading and therefore means very little as regards your bodies utilization of B12.

2. As stated above, everyone is different, but you really need to ascertain what is happening at cell levels.

3. Your body will struggle to make / absorb B12 in certain cases. Has your G.P. carried out tests for Intrinsic Factor and Parietal Cell Antibodies ? Further is he / she going to send a blood sample away for HoloTC and if necessary MMA testing ? Such tests will produce a much better diagnosis upon which to base your ongoing medication.

4. Possibly, of course we don't know what your lifestyle is like, but if you follow Hampster 1's advice above, you won't go far wrong, this lady always gives a broad spectrum of good sound advice and links to good informational sites.

Good luck, hope you soon feel better

B12 Turbo