Elderly mother coming to visit me at 9400 feet in Colorado.

[Brummy123]

My 83 year old mom longs to see the mountains where I live in Colorado. She lives at sea level on the south coast of England. She has been recently diagnosed with pernicious anemia. Will the high altitude have an adverse effect on her due to the pas?

[Gambit62 Administrator]

Basically PA - pernicious anaemia - is a bit of a misnomer - it isn't not a blood disorder.  It is an absorption problem that affects the body's ability to absorb dietary B12.

The symptoms of PA are the symptoms of the B12 deficiency it causes.  Of itself B12 deficiency isn't affected by altitude.  B12 deficiency isn't a blood disorder though it can cause blood disorders - anaemia.  Do you know if your mother has developed anaemia as a result of the deficiency.  Many people develop other signs first.  I've had symptoms of B12 deficiency going back 4 decades but have never shown any signs of being anaemic.  If she has anaemia in the proper sense - eg macrocytosis (enlarged deformed red blood cells) then the altitude could potentially affect her and she may need to take time to acclimatise.

Suggest you ask if your mother has anaemia in the sense of a blood disorder and proceed from there.

If she is with you for a few months then she will need a maintenance dose during that time to keep her B12 levels high.

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi Brummy123  (from an ex Brummy 1959)

I am not a medically qualified person but my suggestion would be for you to talk to your Doctor and appraise him/her of the situation and the fact that, as Gambit62   mentioned, if your Mom is with you for some time, she may need to have a B12 injection whilst she's there.

I don't know, but with all the anti-terrorist precautions at airports these days your Mom might not be able to take her vials and any needles with her. 

Your Mom's B12 injection is probably hydroxcobalamin but it would be as well to confirm that with her.

I've had P.A. for 44 years and I'm still "clivealive" at nearly 75.

I do hope you have a lovely (and "high") time together and that your Mom keeps well.

[sweetnessandlight in reply to clivealive]

It should be fine to take injection supplies in your suitcase in the hold but not in hand luggage.