Hashimoto and PA...

[madness07]

Hi there!

I didn't post for awhile. I just want to ask what kind of antibody test is done for pernicious anemia? I had a test for hashimoto antibody done around half year back and my very low b12 was discovered now, so doctor send blood to the lab for antibody test for pernicious anemia. And they denied testing saying it's pointless since I got antibodies tested in last half year. I can't understand it since are two different conditions... Can anyone explain please.

Thanks a lot

[Gambit62 Administrator]

The antibody tests for PA are IFA (intrinsic factor antibodies) and PCA (parietal cell antibodies).  Neither of these tests is particularly good - at best 50% accurate - so can be done several times before you get a positive result.

PA isn't the only cause of a B12 absorption problem.  Other causes include:

a) lowering of stomach acidity as you get older

b) genetic abnormalities affecting the ileum

c) gastric surgery affecting the ileum

d) drug interactions - including PPIs,NSAIDs,anti-convulstants and metformin used to treat type2 diabetes.

Whatever the cause the treatment is the same.  Personally I'm inclined to think that you can drive yourself mad looking for the cause once you have been diagnosed, particularly given how prone to error the tests are - the important thing is actually getting treatment.

I can't comment on the thyroid problems - sure others will be able to help

[madness07 in reply to Gambit62]

Thank you very much, so it is different antibody after all. I started injections to treat low b12 already but the reasoning has no sense to me. Thyroid got ATPO and ATG tested for autoimmune, so both conditions has nothing to do with each other. How the hell they can deny testing! Unbelivable.

[Fennella02]

My GP practice does not look for a cause of low B12.  I suspect mine is dietary and worsened by certain medications but I'm promised treatment indefinitely with no plan to retest B12 levels.  

[Marcieb]

Yes the connection is both are autoimmune diseases. I have PA my sister has Hashimotos. She takes B12 supplements as well. I hv pseudo Cushings Disease so side effects like hump on my neck, hair growth etc but not full blown illness, believe again autoimmune. My consultant gastroenterologist believes In Actimel drinks, tummy probs go with PA, prob immune systems had it. He is only one to be some help in years. My GP thinks me nutty. I am fighting to get a Neurologist now my memory is so poor. Keep fighting for injections to suit your own body, this site is full of great people who can keep you going you are not alone now. Hope you hv a decent GP to help you, rare thing it appears! Good luck, Marcelle

[madness07]

I got a call from my gp today. I have been informed that, test result came back. So apparently there was a mess but after all test was done. She said my antibody came back normal. This is indeed reason to be happy. So she blamed it on diet. The thing is that I have education regarding diets from University, and I perfectly know what to eat to boost things etc. So I would never say it is diets fault. I told her that in my family,  very low b12 is very common, she said it indeed maybe genetics fault. But it still doesn't really explain why is it so low. I would love to know the cause. As I said before, low b12 was first discovered in November, but I do not know how long for was it low before that. And it remains low until now, even lower than before. I have been advised to redo b12 test in 3 months after this set of injections, but if it will stay low, what other reason can it be? My endo told me that antibodies has different periods and they do go up and down, obviously he was talking about thyroid antibodies, but I guess it is related to all antibodies. Is it possible that it was such a moment or is my gluten free diet working out? Or is it something else? Well lots of questions even although I know i should wait this 3 months before asking.

[Popeye27]

Did the Doctor test Gastric Parietal cell antibodies...

I was positive for that..therefor I produce very little IF..or gastric acid to absorb my food..

If they only tested IF then you may have GPC antibodies..my IF test came back negative..because a I very little If cells..so the test is flawed..

I have true PA...

[madness07 in reply to Popeye27]

Thank you very much for such a useful information! There always must be a reason behind things, I can't simply accept genetics as an excuse. I will wait that 3 months for next b12 test and if it will be low again I will ask about this GPC antibodies.