B12/pernicious anemia

[lupin23]

Is there any connection between b12 D and Behchets

[Foggyme Administrator]

Hi Lupin23. Hmm....interesting question 🤔.

I note from your previous posts that you have pernicious anaemia (an autoimmune condition) and people who have one autoimmune condition are more likely (but not certain) to have, or go on to develop, other autoimmune conditions.

It's not known for certain but Behcet's is thought to be an autoimmune condition...so the connection between the B12 deficency caused by PA and Brecht's could be autoimmune disease.

It's interesting to note that Behcet's can cause multiple gastric issues...so it's conceivable that damage to or destruction of the gastric mucosa could cause damage to and the eventual destruction of the parietal cells that produce intrinsic factor - without which absorption of B12 cannot take place. And if that happened, would it make it PA rather than Behcet's...or PA secondary to Behcet's...hmm...no idea.

But this is just me thinking about potential connections. Haven't seen or read anything about a specific connection between PA and Behcet's - but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist, just that I haven't spotted anything 😉.

Other than that...no idea 🤔.

Interesting question...perhaps others will have more to add.

👍

[lupin23 in reply to Foggyme]

Thank you, a friend of mine has this condition and very ill and so far no treatment. It has taken nearly two years for this diagnosis with symptoms very like PA in many ways. Sad to see the decline in her health

[Foggyme Administrator in reply to lupin23]

Hi lupin23. So sad to hear this. Unfortunately, autoimmune conditions can be very tricky to diagnose and it does take a long time...and the NHS system is not best geared to those of us who have to see multiple specialisms to get our health issues sorted out. Sadly.

Just a thought...Sleepybunny mentions intestinal issues and I'm also thinking of the potential for gastric issues assocIted with Behcet's. These kind of symptoms can often lead to absorption issues...so your friend may well have deficiencies, the main culprits being B12, folate, iron, and vitamin D.

If her GP has not already done so, perhaps they could check serum B12, folate, vitamin D and Ferritn levels (ferritin is one marker of iron deficiency anaema). Any of these deficiencies could make your friend feel very ill indeed - on top of the Behcet's 😖.

Also - she has one autoimmune condition so may well have another. Just wondering if she has had IF antibodies tested (test for PA). But a word of caution about this - 50% of people with PA test negative for IF antibodies, so a negative test cannot be used to rule out PA. Her doctor should look at the whole clinical picture, including symptoms (though this might be difficult because there will inevitable be cross-over symptoms between Behcet's and B12 deficency).

Have to say....it's really heartwarming that you're being such a supportive friend...and not disappearing when the going gets tough (some people just can't cope). So good for you 😉.

[Sleepybunny]

Hi.

Link about Behcet's disease

nhs.uk/Conditions/Behcets-d...

There is a Behcet's Syndrome Society on HU.

I came across one research article that mentioned Behcet's disease can affect intestines so I wondered if intestinal damage might lead to difficulties in absorbing B12.

[lupin23]

Thank you I will pass this on to my friend

[Beegirl22]

Hello.

I am new here and just spotted your post.

I was diagnosed with pernicious anemia in 2014 before I knew I had behçets. I am wondering if there is a link also.

I am Turkish Cypriot and was told behçets is mostly found in people with my gene.