Could omerprazole cause this b12 level for a big meat eater and dairy eater? I'm hoping that my low b12 is the cause of my many symptoms so at least I can treat it but about 2 years ago I had to start PPI'S because I got bad acid reflux. I'm only on 20 mg a day. Could it drop that much?
Written by
leahcim
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Your stomach needs a certain level of acidity in order to absorb B12 ... and some other things. So it is possible that even the dose you are taking is lowering your stomach acid below that level and you really aren't getting much B12 through at all. However, the acid reflux was probably an indicator that you have an absorption problem in the first place so doubt that the omeprazole is the whole story - it's just making things worse rather than better - treating a symptom whilst the underlying cause just gets worse and worse.
If you google "omeprazole b12 deficiency" there are lots of links.
Are you in the UK?
The PAS (Pernicious Anaemia society) are very helpful. The library section on the website has useful info. You can ring and leave a message and they will get back to you.
"I'm hoping that my low b12 is the cause of my many symptoms so at least I can treat it "
My experience has been that once you self treat, all future B12 test results will be compromised. I tried so hard to get a diagnosis through NHS and only started self treating as an absolute last resort when my attempts failed. It is extremely unlikely that I will ever get a diagnosis now.
Have you had an IFA ( intrinsic Factor Antibody test)? The IFA results are not always reliable, people can have a negative result and still have PA (Pernicious Anaemia).
There are other test that can help establish a B12 deficiency eg MMA, homocysteine and Active B12 (Transcobalamin).
Has your doctor checked your folate, ferritin and FBC (Full Blood Count) aka CBC (Complete Blood Count) in USA?
I don't know much about thyroid results although in my own case I strongly suspect I am hypothyroid although results in normal range.
There is a Thyroid UK forum on Health Unlocked who might be able to comment.
The reason I mentioned the FBC (Full Blood Count) is that the results sometimes give important clues. I once paid for a private FBC. On the FBC, I look particularly at the MCV, MCH and haemaglobin. High MCV and high MCH can indicate the possibility of a macrocytic anaemia. Macrocytosis can be caused by B12 deficiency and by folate deficiency. It is possible to have both folate and B12 deficiency at the same time.
Google "BCSH Cobalamin and Folate Guidelines" Long document but well worth reading all of it. These are the guidelines the NHS should be following. I found page 29 , a diagnosis flowchart useful.
If you've had surgery in the last few years involving nitrous oxide then nitrous oxide can inactivate the B12 in your body. Not sure if this link works but there is info on GOV.UK website.
I am so grateful I found this website!! I posted the other week about worsening symptoms and 3 monthly injections no longer having the impact they had once had. I received some really helpful replies- thanks to everyone for those. Your post leachim, has given my more peace of mind than the GP did - I'm taking Pantaprozole and I have now traced the reduction in effectiveness of B12 injections to round about when I began Pantaprozole !
I can now approach my GP much more informed and I'm feeling so much more positive - and it's my 3 monthly injection in the morning!!!
I was diagnosed b12 deficient and had some swalling problems at the time, but it was over a year later during a stressful time that this got worse and that I could feel it was acid reflux. I was then given PPI's to use intermittently. As Gambit says, PPI's lower stomach acid, and could be the cause, but there may be something else going on that caused it in the 1st place. My problem is assumed to be absorption but no cause has been determined and the doctor has no plans to find one. I don't like not knowing but, as long as I continue to get injections I think that's ok.
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