Possible B12 defficiency

[diholl99]

Hi, I'm new on here.

I have had numerous symptoms for the past 2 years but as yet not diagnosed with anything. I suspect underactive thyroid but I am also wondering if my B12 levels are lower than they should be.

My active B12 was 56 (25.1-165) so not below normal but seems quite low?

Could this still be a problem. Both my auntie and her mum have pernicious anemia, does it run in families? I suspect my dad may have too as he had similar symptoms to me when he was younger apparently but unfortunately he died of stomach cancer when he was 42)

My symptoms include: brain fog, difficulty remembering words, extreme tiredness, dizzyness, especially when I stand, muscle and joint pain, hair loss (been diagnosed with scarring alopecia)

Thanks for taking the time to read

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi diholl99 yes P.A. can "run in families". Is your doctor aware of your family history?

Ask your doctor to test you for "Intrinsic Factor Antibodies" although sadly the IFA test is unreliable in that it gives false negatives in people with PA half the time. So a negative result doesn't mean that you don't have PA. However, a positive result is a sure-fire, 95% certain indicator of PA.

The symptoms you listed are similar to those of a B12 deficiency,

The British Society for Haematology guidelines say on the Diagnosis of B12 and Folate Deficiency "In the presence of discordance between the test result and strong clinical features of deficiency, treatment should not be delayed to avoid neurological impairment".

google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j...

In other words your doctor should look at your symptoms not just at the computer screen.

Thyroid problems may also put you at risk of developing a B12 deficiency.

I am not a medically trained person but I've had P.A. (a form of B12 deficiency) for more than 45 years.

I wish you well

.