I'm finding that if I eat a very small amount I feel bloated, or rather I AM bloated! My stomach becomes distended and I feel really uncomfortable.
Is this a symptom of anything thyroid related? I'm hypo taking 125mg per day but my T3 is low. Also my B12 is 284 (190-900)
Thanks for your help x
It could be a number of things. Don't know enough about thyroid to say what likelihood is that that is too blame.
It could also be a sign of low stomach acidity - meaning that you are not managing to process food as quickly and efficiently as you might - this will also lead to a B12 deficiency. In fact your results are already in the grey area where significant numbers of people have a deficiency but because the test isn't a specific guide get told their results are normal - your GP really needs to evaluate on basis of clinical presentation (symptoms).
Other possibilities include the effect of gluten intolerance so it might be worth trying a gluten free diet for a while and see if that helps - similar for lactose.
Thanks. I've had a coeliac test twice, the most recent test only last November, as my sister is coeliac.
The gp has given me some B12 tablets but they're only 50mcg and they're cyanocobalamin. I asked for the methycobalamin but he said these are the type he prescribes!
Generally speaking - because it is a vitamin - tablet forms of b12 are not subject to any requirement for prescription so if you want to try high dose methyl rather than the dose of cyano prescribed there isn't anything to stop you sourcing it yourself (aside, possibly from cost).
Whilst methyl might suit you better there is also no guarantee - some find that cyano actually seems to work better for them than other forms.
I want to try what he says first before I go down the route of self medicating - might as well use the nhs if I can! Whatever I do I have to be able to maintain the cost when I've retired, which won't be long now! So far these 50 mcg ones have made no difference - it's been 2 weeks. I'll leave it a couple of months then have another blood test. At least then he'll see if it's making a difference or not x
Other than tiredness, the gastric problem you describe was my major symptom of PA.
Me too - but I don't have a definite PA diagnosis as my B12 level was quite high (about 360). Because my parietal cell antibodies came back positive my lovely GP allowed me to have B12 injections anyway. However I still have terrible gastric symptoms after 2 years of B12 injections. Did your symptoms go away after treatment?
I've only had the B12 tablets (50mcg) for about 2 weeks so haven't noticed any difference so far 
My B12 is 284 (190-900) so quite low I think.
It's really hard to go to the gp and ask for specific things like the parietal cell antibodies test you mention, I wish they would do their job and look at the body holistically instead of trying to treat each individual symptom - usually with just more pills!!
Do you think your dose via the injections isn't high enough - as you still have symptoms?
I don't know. I know that all the old papers on autoimmune gastritis say that the patients who have it tend to be women with bloating and burping type symptoms (flatulent dyspepsia). I assume it is to do with low stomach acid but taking stomach acid with meals doesn't seem to make any difference for me. B12 injections don't seem to make any difference. It was my first symptom before being diagnosed with iron deficiency anaemia (which is also a common symptom of autoimmune gastritis) and it is just getting worse. I can't find any research really investigating why this happens or what can be done to reduce the symptoms. My gastroenterologist said I must be swallowing air.
That's not a very 'medical' diagnosis is it? haha I thought it was only babies did that!
My iron is low - ferritin was 26 (10-291) in November and in January, after taking iron tablets it had gone to 48 (10-291) so still not very high! I refused to take the iron tablets any more because of constipation so he's given me some liquid iron which is supposed to be non-constipating - we shall see!
For you I suppose the injections will help with other things like the possible neurological symptoms of low B12? They can be really dangerous so I understand as they can be non-reversible?
Yes - I'm glad I'm allowed to have the injections as my B12 was falling and it was likely that at some point it would have become a problem - even if the serum results were correct at the time. I might have problems in the future though if I move to a new practice as I don't have a formal diagnosis.
Low iron should really have been investigated if you are over 50. Did you have any investigations? Autoimmune gastritis is very common in people with autoimmune thyroid problems. It is thought to be a possible cause of iron deficiency in up to 1/4 of all cases of iron deficiency anaemia. I also find it difficult to ask the doctor for tests - I try to ask for a maximum of one per visit! Trying to get to the bottom of an iron deficiency would be sensible though so that could be the reason for getting the parietal cell antibody test.
No he didn't do any investigation as to why my iron is low - and I'm 65!
I understand as well that these autoimmune disorders are not uncommon where another family member has an autoimmune problem - my sister is coeliac, and she is his patient too AND I've reminded him about it but then doctors don't seem to join the dots do they!
"I've had a coeliac test twice, the most recent test only last November, as my sister is coeliac."
If your coeliac tests were negative but Coeliac type symptoms continue then there are other tests the GP can order. See links below. Have you ever had an IgA test? people who are IgA deficient will not produce the usual coeliac antibodies .
coeliac.org.uk/coeliac-dise...
coeliac.org.uk/coeliac-dise...
Have you ever had an endoscopy?
coeliac.org.uk/coeliac-dise...
"my B12 is 284 (190-900)"
People can have severe B12 deficiency with results that are normal range. Recent UK documents make it clear that patients who are symptomatic for B12 deficiency should be treated even if results are normal range. See Links below.
1)ukneqas-haematinics.org.uk/...
2)bmj.com/content/349/bmj.g5226
3) Google "BCSH Cobalamin and Folate Guidelines"
I found it helpful to talk to the PAS when I started to suspect I might have B12 deficiency. If you leave a message they will get back to you within a few days.
pernicious-anaemia-society....
01656 769 717
Office open from 8am till 2pm every day except Sundays.
Test Results
Do you get copies of your blood test results? You have a right to these. Most surgeries will charge a small fee for making copies. I get copies of teh following folate, ferritin, b12 and FBC (Full Blood Count). I learnt from experience that what i was told was normal over the phone or even face to face was not always normal on the paper copy.
The FBC can have useful clues as to whether B12 deficiency is a possibility. High MCV and hIgh MCH can indicate the possibility of macrocytosis.
Have you ever had an IFA (Intrinsic factor Antibody) test? This can help diagnose PA but is not always reliable. People with a negative result can still have PA. There are other tests such as MMA, homocysteine and Active B12 that are used to help diagnose B12 deficiency.
b12deficiency.info/b12-test...
patient.info/doctor/macrocytosis-and-macrocytic-anaemia
patient.info/doctor/pernici...
patient.info/doctor/full-bl...
patient.info/doctor/folate-...
Books
Could It Be B12 by Sally Pacholok and JJ. Stuart
What You Need to Know About Pernicious Anaemia and Vitamin B12 Deficiency by Martyn Hooper
Other useful links
patient.info/doctor/iron-de...
Thank you Sleepybunny.
I've got all my results printed off for the last 4 years or so! However, I realised I hadn't got my coeliac results so I went this morning. The receptionist gave me 2 I hadn't seen before that my gp did. We didn't know what they meant so I googled them when i got home. One is Se CA125 and that's for ovarian cancer (I'm glad he eliminated that!) and the other is 'Serum endomysium antibodies' but I can't find that exact thing online. Any ideas? They both said 'normal' but nothing else.
Will the PAS talk to me even though I'm not a member? I see it'll cost me £20 to actually join. x
As far as I know the PAS will speak to non members. The £20 is a lifetime membership so good value in my opinion.
Pernicious anemia stomach problems 
digestion problems - b12 deficiency? 
Maybe I have more than PA...
Hematologist or gastroenterolist?
Please help: Gastrointestinal symptoms
