GP frustration: I feel I am none the... - Pernicious Anaemi...

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GP frustration

Luac profile image
Luac
8 Replies

I feel I am none the wiser about my B12 deficiency and why it is being caused. Ive had quite a few blood tests, but reading through the forum im finding things that arent being looked at.

The symptoms really affect me a lot - im a teacher and the brain fog and tiredness really make life difficult.

I get words mixed up, forget words and people's names, my hand writing and even spelling are affected, i sometines find it difficult to recognise things like apps on my phone or it is difficult to go shopping due to not being able to think clearly, i have fatigue, confusion, low mood, my appetite is affected in that i dont want to eat. I get pins and needles and cramps, i havd foggy/blurred vision in the mornings and im not completely happy with my bowel movement.

The gp is happy to give b12 treatment but wont follow guidelines and wont refer me to a haematologist as my symptoms arent neurological enough - i have no problems with balance he said. Another family member in medicine said if the injections didnt work, then i should see a haematologist. Im not sure.

Also he said he simply wouldnt let me get injections every two months as that would entirely have a placebo effect and could result in way too much b12. I feel he wasnt fully honest with me and just wanted to fob me off.

I feel there is no follow up - i see the gp, he sets tests and then they seem to be ok online so no follow up appointment. I dont know why they stopped the treatment after only two three month injections (i had the 6 injections in two weeks at the start last year).

Im now restarting the two week intense injections. I cant wait until they kick in! Previously, the three month wait was not enough, I was firmly back to square one by about 8 weeks.

Some questions - is it important to know why i have this deficiency, and if so, what tests might i be missing?

How can i make the gp increase injections based on symptoms returning?

Thanks!

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Luac
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fbirder profile image
fbirder

Your GP needs educating.

First he needs to be told that the recommended dose for hydroxocobalamin has recently be changed from 'every 3 months' to 'every 2 to 3 months'. Ask him to check the online BNF. That means that there is no good reason you cannot have injections every 8 weeks. After all, if nobody needed 8 weekly jabs, then why change the recommendations?

It might be worth investing in a copy of Martyn Hooper's book amazon.co.uk/About-Pernicio... and give it to the doc.

Sleepybunny profile image
Sleepybunny in reply tofbirder

Just wondered if Martyn's book has been updated to include changes to BNF?

fbirder profile image
fbirder in reply toSleepybunny

I doubt it. It would mean a whole new print run.

Sleepybunny profile image
Sleepybunny

Hi,

"but wont follow guidelines and wont refer me to a haematologist as my symptoms arent neurological enough"

Have you considered putting your concerns into a letter to GP? Letter could contain symptoms, relevant family/personal medical history, test results and extracts from B12 documents?

List your symptoms especially every neurological symptom.

You mention

pins and needles (look up neuropathic symptoms)

brainfog

confusion

get words mixed up, forget words and people's names ( look up nominal aphasia)

Do you have any of these below ?

Tinnitus

Numbness

Weakness in limbs

Insect crawling sensations (formication)

Muscle twitches

Limb jerks

Tingling

Restless Legs Syndrome

Clumsiness, bumping into things

Dropping things

Balance problems

vertigo

Problems with proprioception ( awareness of body in space)..harder to explain but do you lose balance if your eyes are closed, or it's dark or you lose sight of your surroundings eg when your view is blocked.

Strange behaviour eg putting keys in the fridge

Check these lists for other neuro symptoms.

Symptoms of B12 Deficiency

pernicious-anaemia-society....

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

Might be worth pointing out that untreated or under treated B12 deficiency may lead to permanent neurological damage and you would prefer to avoid this....

Neurological Consequences of B12 Deficiency

PAS news item

pernicious-anaemia-society....

PAS article about SACD, sub acute combined degeneration of the spinal cord, access to PAS members only.

pernicious-anaemia-society.... See Page 2 of articles.

Blog post from Martyn Hooper's blog, mentions SACD

martynhooper.com/2010/09/21...

Might make GP take notice although sadly may just irritate them.

"I'm now restarting the two week intense injections"

At least you are having repeated loading doses but your GP does not appear to know that loading doses for someone with neurological symptoms are more intense than this.

UK B12 treatment for B12 deficiency WITH neuro symptoms is...

A B12 loading jab every other day for as long as symptoms continue to improve (could mean weeks even months of every other day jabs) then a jab every 2 months.

GP can check this in following documents, GP likely to refer to BNF. The info on treating B12 deficiency with neuro symptoms is in Chapter 9 Section 1.2 I think if GP using BNF book.

UK B12 documents

BSH Cobalamin and Folate Guidelines

b-s-h.org.uk/guidelines/gui...

Flowchart from BSH Cobalamin and Folate Guidelines

stichtingb12tekort.nl/weten...

Flowchart outlines process for diagnosing PA and Antibody Negative PA in UK

BMJ B12 article

bmj.com/content/349/bmj.g5226

Emphasises need to treat patients who are symptomatic even if their B12 level is within range.

BNF

bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/hydrox...

BNF guidance on treating b12 deficiency changed recently.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

BNF Children

bnfc.nice.org.uk/drug/hydro...

NICE CKS

cks.nice.org.uk/anaemia-b12...

In UK, letters to GP are supposed to be filed with patient's medical notes so in my opinion are less likely to be ignored.

Writing letters may irritate some GPs; some find it difficult to cope with assertive patients so have a back up plan eg another GP surgery to go to.

nhs.uk/common-health-questi...

Don't feel you have to be loyal to a particular surgery: it's your health that's at risk.

I stayed far too long at one GP surgery, deteriorating to the point of dementia symptoms and spinal symptoms. I feel so angry with myself for staying there and angry with the GPs for the way I was treated.

There are a lot of links on your first thread on this forum that should be of use especially if you're in UK.

Unhappy with Treatment (UK info)?

Letters to GPs about B12 deficiency

b12deficiency.info/b12-writ...

Lots of useful B12 info in this link and rest of website.

Point 1 is about under treatment of B12 deficiency with neuro symptoms which may be relevant to you.

CAB NHS Complaints

citizensadvice.org.uk/healt...

HDA patient care trust

UK charity that offers (usually) free second opinions on medical diagnoses and medical treatment.

hdapatientcaretrust.com/

They are quick to respond to enquiries.

Referrals

If GP is not keen to refer you, how about putting request for referral into a brief, polite letter along with evidence that supports request eg extracts from UK B12 documents. GP does not have to agree to request but it is harder for them to ignore if it's in a letter. I occasionally offered to pay for the referral which I think shamed them into referring me.

Are you in a position to go private? Although this is no guarantee of better treatment.

See HDA patient care trust link above who may be able to offer free appointments with specialists.

Haematologist

You could mention that NICE CKS link (below) indicates that GPs should seek advice from a haematologist for patients with B12 deficiency with neuro symptoms. Even if GP is unwilling to refer you to haematologist perhaps you could request that they write a letter to haematologists at local hospital asking for advice ( and ask for a copy of any response from haematologists).

NICE CKS

cks.nice.org.uk/anaemia-b12...

Neurologist

Have you asked to be referred to a neurologist as you have neuro symptoms?

Sadly some specialists lack understanding of B12 deficiency so be well prepared for any specialist appointments.

Gastro enterologist

Do you have gut symptoms? Gastro specialist should be able to spot signs of gut damage from PA, Coeliac , H Pylori infection and other gut conditions.

Support

If possible I suggest taking a supportive friend/family member with you to appointments, even better if they have read about b12 deficiency and understand what you are going through.

GPs are sometimes kinder, in my opinion, if a witness is present....

PAS

If there's a chance you might have PA, I suggest joining and talking to PAS.

Did you have tests for PA?

If you're not sure, I suggest getting copies of all your blood test results and checking.

Best advice I ever got was to get copies of everything.

PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society)

Based in Wales, UK.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

PAS tel no +44 (0)1656 769717 answerphone

PAS support groups in UK

pernicious-anaemia-society....

Blog post about how PAS can support PAS members seeking PA diagnosis

martynhooper.com/2017/06/24...

PA tests

Intrinsic Factor Antibody (IFA) test

labtestsonline.org/tests/in...

Parietal Cell Antibody (PCA) test

labtestsonline.org/tests/pa...

PCA is not recommended as a diagnostic test for PA in UK.

Both these tests can be unreliable.

It is still possible to have PA with a negative or normal range result in IFA or PCA test.

About 50% of people with PA test negative on IFA test.

About 10% of people with PA test negative on PCA test.

"I dont know why they stopped the treatment after only two three month injections (i had the 6 injections in two weeks at the start last year)."

Did you ask GP why the treatment stopped?

Although it is sometimes difficult to challenge GPs, sometimes it is necessary in my opinion.

"is it important to know why i have this deficiency, "

My personal opinion is yes, some causes of B12 deficiency are preventable/reversible eg

If B12 deficiency is due to diet then diet can be changed.

If b12 deficiency due to Coeliac disease then a gluten free diet may allow gut to heal enough for B12 absorption to improve.

If due to H Pylori infection, infection can be treated and B12 absorption from gut may improve.

Risk Factors for PA and B12 Deficiency

pernicious-anaemia-society....

b12deficiency.info/what-are...

b12deficiency.info/who-is-a...

Coeliac Disease

In UK, two first line tests are recommended. If you were tested, did GP order both tests?

1) tTG IgA

2) Total IgA

NICE guidelines Coeliac Disease (2015 version)

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng20/c...

Coeliac Blood Tests

coeliac.org.uk/coeliac-dise...

H Pylori infection?

patient.info/digestive-heal...

Exposure to Nitrous Oxide?

gov.uk/drug-safety-update/n...

Any chance of internal parasites eg fish tapeworm. Do you ever eat raw fish eg sushi, smoked salmon etc?

Are you on any medication that can interfere with b12 levels ( and/or folate levels) eg PPI drugs, metformin ( a drug used to treat diabetes), some anti-epileptics eg gabapentin etc...

Link about "What to do next" if B12 deficiency suspected

b12deficiency.info/what-to-...

Do you have good levels of folate and iron?

Blood tests

b12deficiency.info/b12-test...

Macrocytosis

patient.info/doctor/macrocy...

Full Blood Count and Blood Film

labtestsonline.org.uk/tests...

patient.info/doctor/periphe...

Folate Deficiency

patient.info/doctor/folate-...

Iron Studies

labtestsonline.org.uk/tests...

B12 Deficiency Info website

b12deficiency.info/

B12 Awareness (US website)

b12awareness.org/

B12d.org holds support meetings near Durham, UK

b12d.org/event

Stichting B12 Tekort (Dutch website with English articles)

stichtingb12tekort.nl/weten...

UK B12 Blogs

Martyn Hooper's blog about PA

martynhooper.com/

B12 Deficiency Info blog

b12deficiency.info/blog/

I am not medically trained. More B12 info in pinned posts on this forum.

Luac profile image
Luac in reply toSleepybunny

Ive just had the last of my 6 injections and the nurse said ill get blood tests in 3 months to see if I need to continue. There is no follow up, no questions regarding whether health has improved or not. I havent been tested for PA nor have iron levels been tested. It's clear to me that they are not following updated procedures. I will write a letter this week.

Sleepybunny profile image
Sleepybunny in reply toLuac

Hi,

If you're going to write a letter, I suggest two things....

1) Consider joining and talking to PAS first. Best to phone. They can sometimes intervene on behalf of their members and at very least can suggest useful info to pass on to GP.

PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society)

PAS tel no +44 (0)1656 769717 answerphone

PAS membership

pernicious-anaemia-society....

2) Look at letter writing link below. It has letter templates that people can base own letters to GP about B12 deficiency on.

Letters to GPs about B12 deficiency

b12deficiency.info/b12-writ...

PAS have supported people in past with getting PA diagnosis.

martynhooper.com/2017/06/24...

martynhooper.com/2017/07/01...

Luac profile image
Luac in reply toSleepybunny

Thanks so much, thats great advice. I will call them tomorrow.

Sleepybunny profile image
Sleepybunny

B12 books I found useful

"What You Need to Know About Pernicious Anaemia and B12 Deficiency" by Martyn Hooper

Martyn Hooper is the chair of PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society). I think book does not show updated BNF info.

"Living with Pernicious Anaemia and Vitamin B12 Deficiency" by Martyn Hooper

Has several case studies.

"Could it Be B12?: An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses" by Sally Pacholok and JJ. Stuart (USA authors)

Very comprehensive with lots of case studies. There is also a paediatric version of this book "Could It Be B12? Paediatric Edition: What Every Parent Needs to Know".

There is also a book written by a doctor associated with B12d.org but I haven't read it yet.

"Vitamin B12 deficiency in Clinical Practice" (subtitle "Doctor, you gave me my life back!" by Dr Joseph Alexander "Chandy" Kayyalackakom and Hugo Minney PhD

I agree with fbirder that your GP needs educating.

Help for GPs

1) PAS website has section for health professionals. It is free for them to join PAS as associate members.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

2) I believe PAS may have access to a GP who understands PA. It may be possible for your GP to speak to this GP. You would need to be a PAS member and liaise with PAS.

May also be possible to arrange for your GP to speak to the chair of PAS, Martyn Hooper.

3) PAS website has useful leaflets/articles that some on forum have passed to GP eg

"An Update for Medical Professionals: Diagnosis and Treatment"

pernicious-anaemia-society....

PAS membership

pernicious-anaemia-society....

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