PA testing

[Sunnydevon]

Hi there, I saw an endocrinologist last summer and in his letter to my gp said he thought I may have a second autoimmune disease by definition as my b12 levels were low. I had Graves’ disease treated with Radio iodine in the past. He didn’t say which autoimmune disease but I’m assuming PA. is there a test I can get that is reliable? I get really sore acid tummy during and after eating.

[JanD236]

If your B12 levels are low you need to push your GP for early treatment.

I was diagnosed with PA after my GP tested B12 which was below range. The lab then used the same blood sample and tested active B12 (also low) and for intrinsic factor antibodies (positive).

I would also ask for folate to be tested.

Like you I previously had Graves’ disease.

[Sunnydevon in reply to JanD236]

Thank you for your reply. Did you have RAI? My B12 is ok at the monastery I’ve been supplementing. I’m just worried as I read Atrophic gastritis is something you can get with PA and I have heartburn a lot

[JanD236 in reply to Sunnydevon]

I was treated with carbimazole, not RAI, about 10 years before my PA diagnosis.

It’s not so much that you get atrophic gastritis with PA as the other way round. If you have the illness rather inappropriately called PA, you become deficient in B12 because your stomach cells have been attacked by your immune system. As a result, you no longer produce any (or sufficient) hydrochloric acid to break down protein and remove the B12 from it. In addition, you may also produce antibodies to intrinsic factor which is needed for your body to utilise B12.

Following on from Graves’ disease my GP let me have an annual blood test to check thyroid levels. With hindsight I would have also asked for B12 and folate levels to be checked. Perhaps your GP will allow this?

[Sunnydevon in reply to JanD236]

My b12 levels are ok at the moment as I’ve been supplementing with a spray. Not sure about folate but could ask. I’ve just got worried about the Atrophic Gastritis. I did have endoscopy last Jan and they didn’t mention anything. Thank you for your reply, really appreciate it😊Ps I did have loading doses in 2017 as levels were low.

[JanD236 in reply to Sunnydevon]

You had loading doses because your levels were low? Then you should have continued receiving injections every 3 months for life!

[Sunnydevon in reply to JanD236]

Really? My levels are fairly good using a b12 spray.

[JanD236 in reply to Sunnydevon]

In which case that’s great! Perhaps just be mindful of PA symptoms and go back to your GP if you seem to be getting any.

Mine started off subtly, I just thought I was getting older and didn’t have the energy I used to have. It was only once I’d been treated with injections I realised that I’d been feeling very much worse than just getting on a bit and more tired than my friends/colleagues (I was in my early 50s).