Blood Test Results: My doctor phoned me... - Pernicious Anaemi...

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Blood Test Results

loomis profile image
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My doctor phoned me yesterday to give me an overview of my test results. I'm still B12 deficient even though levels improved slightly. B6 levels dropped, I guess because it wasn't treated when I had my initial B12 shots months back. Something even nastier popped up as well. My iron levels dropped by 9 points below the normal level. She said I am not anemic yet. Although she does think I have coeliac disease so wants a blood test done as soon as possible.

I'm expected to be on B6 and Iron tablets for the next 4 months as well. I don't know much about coeliac disease but a brief look tells me the symptoms are similar to B12 deficiency (and other defieciencies)

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loomis
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clivealive profile image
clivealiveForum Support

Hi @loomis

Was your Folate level tested? Folate and b12 help your iron to make red blood cells and function properly in your body

loomis profile image
loomis in reply toclivealive

I messed my post up, meant to say B9 levels haha. No idea where I got B6 from.

clivealive profile image
clivealiveForum Support in reply toloomis

Well have you any test results for Vitamin B9 - a.k.a Folate or folic acid?

loomis profile image
loomis in reply toclivealive

Yes,came back as deficient.

clivealive profile image
clivealiveForum Support in reply toloomis

You will need to check with your doctor about supplementing.

I am not a medically trained person but have had P.A. (a form of B12 deficiency) for 46 years

Gambit62 profile image
Gambit62Administrator

notice that you are on B12 injections. After the injection your B12 levels will have been astronomic but they will gradually fall over time as your kidneys remove excess and it then passes out of your body in your urine. If your serum B12 levels are now showing that you are back to being deficient that means that your kidneys are removing the B12 quite quickly and you need maintenance doses to be more frequent than once every 100 days.

Actually using serum B12 after loading shots can be misleading as many people need to keep levels much higher after loading shots so the thing that really counts is symptoms and monitoring those is the best way of deciding when you need a maintenance shot.

Sleepybunny profile image
Sleepybunny

Hi,

Are you in UK? I'm asking because B12 treatment can vary from country to country. Some info below is UK specific.

What does GP think is causing your low B12?

Have you had an Intrinsic Factor Antibody test?

IFA test can help to diagnose PA (Pernicious Anaemia) but test is not always reliable and it is still possible to have PA even if IFA test result is negative/normal range.

Flowchart from BSH Cobalamin and Folate Guidelines

stichtingb12tekort.nl/weten...

Flowchart outlines when PA and Antibody Negative PA can be diagnosed in UK.

BSH Cobalamin and Folate Guidelines

b-s-h.org.uk/guidelines/gui...

Risk Factors for PA and B12 Deficiency

pernicious-anaemia-society....

b12deficiency.info/what-are...

b12deficiency.info/who-is-a...

"she does think I have coeliac disease so wants a blood test done"

In UK, two first line tests for Coeliac disease are recommended

1) tTG Iga (tissue transglutaminase IgA )

2) total IgA

My experience is that total IgA test is not always ordered for people with suspected Coeliac disease. People with IgA deficiency may need alternative tests for Coeliac disease.

coeliac.org.uk/coeliac-dise...

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng20/c...

I've written detailed responses on forum recently, might be some useful info if you search for them.

More b12 info in pinned posts on forum. Useful summary of B12 documents in third pinned post.

B12 books I found useful

"What You Need to Know About Pernicious Anaemia and Vitamin B12 Deficiency" by Martyn Hooper

Martyn Hooper is the chair of PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society). Book is up to date with UK B12 guidelines.

"Living with Pernicious Anaemia and Vitamin B12 Deficiency" by Martyn Hooper

Has several case studies.

"Could it Be B12; An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses" by Sally Pacholok and JJ. Stuart (USA authors)

Very comprehensive book about B12 deficiency with lots of case studies.

PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society)

If you suspect PA, it may be worth joining PAS. PAS are based in Wales, UK but have members from around the world.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

PAS tel no +44 (0)1656 769 717 answerphone

I am not medically trained.

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