Difference between PA and B12 defiency ?

[Lynne17]

I’be looked at several posts and have joined pas but still unsure as to the difference between the two. I’ve been diagnosed with b12 defiency by a consultant neurologist with all other tests fine, still having that ‘injections every 3 months, symptoms returning after2’ battle with my gpIs there anything else I should be asking?

[Gambit62 Administrator]

PA is an autoimmune condition that attacks the mechanism that allows you to absorb most (around 99%+) of the B12 you absorb from your diet. As such it will result in a B12 deficiency, which is what causes the symptoms of PA.

PA isn't the only problem that can stop someone from absorbing enough B12 ... and it is also possible to have a diet that is deficient in B12 (eg being a strict vegan). So PA isn't the only thing that will lead to B12 deficiency.

If you had neurological symptoms then maintenance should be every other month if you are UK based - according to both NICE and the BCSH guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of cobalamin and folate deficiencies.

[Lynne17 in reply to Gambit62]

I’m having 12 weekly injections (due to the b12 deficiency) as the neurologist said there are no neurological problems. Surely though, neurological symptoms I.e., I get pain, muscle weakness and tingling / burning in all 4 limbs recurring 7-8 weeks after each injection mean I should be on the 8 weekly regimen. My GP says

not though due to the neurology results. I’m a bit confused

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Lynne17]

yes, what you are describing certainly does sound like neurological symptoms but the only person who can actually explain what the neurologist mean is the neurologist.

I'd agree that you should be on at least 8 weeks - really if symptoms return at 7-8 weeks you should be on 7 weeks.

[Lynne17 in reply to Gambit62]

Thanks for that, I am struggling to get my GP to do anything more than this so may see if I can go back to the neurologist and have some joy there

[pvanderaa]

Are you supplementing with folic acid and a daily multivitamin?

[Lynne17 in reply to pvanderaa]

Thanks!

[Lynne17 in reply to pvanderaa]

I haven’t been but told all my blood tests are fine so thought it wouldn’t make any difference.

[pvanderaa in reply to Lynne17]

Please get your results.

The labs here in the USA add a caveat to blood results. 10% of the population exhibit neurological symptoms when B12 results are below 400 pg/ml (ng/L).

Some GP read the results such that 1 point about the minimum range limit is still “normal”

[Polaris]

A good explanation here 🙂

pernicious-anaemia-society....

[pvanderaa]

One method i have used both in the UK and thr USA to convince my GP that I needed more frequent injections and finally to self inject was to keep a daily log of my symptoms as well as food, drink and meds.

I would make a daily assessment of the severity of each symptom and number of symptoms. Then ask the GP to include a hardcopy in my file as evidence. Hold the paper in their hand some how convinced them that the symptoms were real and I was not a total hypochondriac.

I was even able to convince the GP hat the anti anxiety medication was not working and was in fact making the symptoms worse.

I also found the i could isolate food issues because the gut causes a 3-48 hour delay in symptoms. I found I was gluten and dairy intolerant.

The logbook also helped me monitor progress over the months and years it has taken the nerve repair to occur. Initially had very bad short term memory loss which is pretty much gone with my current maintenance regime of weekly 1ml cyano injections and a hoard of supplements.

[Lynne17 in reply to pvanderaa]

Thanks for that. I have spoken to my gp again, she is fairly sympathetic and is at least listening to me, and we are awaiting a decision back from the consultant. If this is still no go, I’ll give your method a try! It’s just the time this all takes that is so frustrating and meantime we suffer.....

[pvanderaa in reply to Lynne17]

The time for healing of nerve damage is very long and so small so keeping a logbook helps in the long run no matter what course of action is taken