Pareital cell antibodies

[Sandra_Holmes_R]

Hi a little confused and hoping someone can clarify. I have had low b12 for years and getting 3 monthly injections i then started getting the tingly sore red tongue and fatigue..so i asked my dr if i could have 2 monthly injections instead of 3 and she agreed. I also asked her to test me for PA.

My results were paretial cell antibodies but neg PA..everything else fell in normal range. So help what is the cause of this and will it go on to PA. Thankyou in advance.

[fbirder]

Sorry, not sure what you mean by “My results were parietal cell antibodies but neg PA”.

I’ll guess you had a positive result for the parietal cell antibodies but negative for Intrinsic Factor antibodies.

Unfortunately, both tests have problems. The PC antibody test often gives false positives. About 15% of older people give a positive result. That’s why it’s no longer recommended. The IF test, however, is prone to false negatives. About half of people with PA have a negative result.

But I believe that a positive PC test, combined with low B12 is a good indicator for PA.

[Sandra_Holmes_R in reply to fbirder]

Thankyou..so im still really non the wiser....

[wedgewood in reply to Sandra_Holmes_R]

You are non the wiser because there are no conclusive tests for P.A. unfortunately . Also , lots of doctors know very little about P.A./B12 deficiency . But you are very fortunate in having a G.P. who will give you extra B 12 injections . More than the bog standard 1every 3 months . It’s a good idea to take a folic acid supplement as well, as it works together with B12 . If you still find that you are having symptoms , you may well need even more B12 injections .(I need to inject weekly ) P.A. patients often have to self -inject if their GPs refuse to give extra injections . If it comes to that with you , get in touch with this forum and you will get the information that you need . It sounds as though you do have P.A. . Very best wishes .

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[Sandra_Holmes_R in reply to wedgewood]

Thany you for your reply i was taking a vitamin b complex tab for a short time but found it gave me terrible gas and pain. Is that quite common.

It was my dentist that advised the b complex because of the sore mouth and tongue issues. But will deff get my folate checked

[wedgewood in reply to Sandra_Holmes_R]

Try taking the folic acid tablet on its own . If you do have P.A. , you may well get gut problems too , because the antibodies attack the parietal cells which produce the Intrinsic Factor and stomach acid .Lack of stomach acid( Achlorhydria/Hypochlorhydria) upsets the stomach flora which can lead to tummy ache , bloating and nausea .Some medicines can annihilate stomach acid e.g. PPIs like Omeprazole taken long term . There are many others . We need stomach acid in order to absorb all the other vitamins and minerals as well as 12 , which is the most difficult of all

.No treatment for Achlorhydria,according to a gastroenterologist. Had to find my own treatment "—- probiotics help me . I make my own —organic non-pasteurised sauerkraut eaten raw ! Yes, it’s not to everyone’s taste . But you learn to love it ! Also has other minerals and vitamins that you don’t get in a probiotic tablet .

One of the many problems with P.A. Is that everyone is different . I can only tell you what I have experienced . Some PA patients manage well on 1injection every 3 months . Some inject twice a day . Some have tummy problems -some don’t . But you are not in your own . This forum is marvellous . You can always come here for help and support.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to wedgewood]

there is no cure for achlorhydia - but you can treat to ease the symptoms. Same with PA - no cure but B12 injections prevent the consequences caused by a B12 deficiency.

[JoannePA]

Hi I had those symptoms and I turned out to be folate (folic acid) deficient. Have you had that measured at all? If you are deficient, b12 and folate are closely linked so it would affect your absorption of b12 too. Hope that helps

[fbirder in reply to JoannePA]

Folate doesn’t affect absorption of B12.

One of the reactions in which B12 is involved also involves folate. So a folate deficiency can emulate some of the symptoms of a B12 deficiency.

[Jet72]

I had exactly same result and GP admitted he didn't know what it meant but was probably to do with being hypothyroid. I read up on it and realised it explained my achlorhydia which nobody is interested in. And that I could actually have PA.