Could this be PA? And side effects of B12 shots?

[chicolini]

Hi, I am new here. I have a Vit B12 deficiency but no anaemia, and because I am symptomatic, my GP has prescribed VitB12 injection 1 x month for 3 months. I am early 60s and have autoimmune Hashimotos thyroid disease, and take levothyroxine. My thyroid blood tests are all good. I have taken B12 oral supplements (150 +mcgs per week) for years but obviously its just not getting through now, as my serum B12 levels have been slowly and steadily dropping over the last couple of years, but still within range up until last month's test which was in the dodgy range! . I had tissue auto antibodies tests ie Gastric Parietal Cell and Intrinsic Factor 3 years ago and they were negative. Although I have very high ANA antibodies. And at endoscopy 5 years ago I had 'mild gastritis', What I would like to know is: Could I be developing PA? Do I need more tests now for the gastric cell and intrinsic factor antibodies? Is it possible to develop PA and the antibodies over 3 years? And my other question is how many of you get side effects from the injection. Just reading the product info, the list of possible side effects is hair-raising - pulmonary oedema and even cardiac arrest! Really?! I realise these would be very unlikely and rare, and of course all meds have side effects. I guess I am just nervous about having injections. TIA for any/all comments. Thank you.

[spacey1]

If you're eating a varied diet and supplementing and your b12 levels are still getting lower, you do have an absorption issue. It might be PA, but the IF test is so unreliable that you could well test negative and still have it. However, PA or deficiency, the treatment is the same.

Personally, I wouldn't worry about the side effect list. As long as you have your first shot with medical supervision, you should be as fine as all the people on here with them. They're water soluble, so any extra just gets peed out. The symptoms of deficiency are so horrible, it has to be worth a try!

[chicolini in reply to spacey1]

Thanks for the info Spacey, yep I feel so rubbish lately that I will be having the injection..

[Gambit62 Administrator]

IFA is not a very sensitive tests - its good for confirming PA if you have a positive but a long way from ruling it out if you have a negative.

There is quite a strong cross over between hashis and PA and between hypothyroidism and B12 deficiency. Studies show about 40% of PA patients go on to develop hashi's and the it varies from 10%-40% for hashis patients developing PA.

Most likely you already have PA or given your age, that you now have low stomach acidity and that is affecting B12 absorption.

[chicolini in reply to Gambit62]

Thanks very much Gambit for the helpful info.