Pronounced Normocytic but not anemic

[Lyntwo]

Hello;

Recently I was told that I was normocytic but not anemic.

Consequently no blood work was ordered, Advised to

stay hydrated and drink gatorade.

I went home, still felt lousy, fatigued, tired, slightly numb in the face,

exhausted, that feel of chill on the upper back, the

injections ofB12 clears the mental fog

but is not alleviating the physical symptoms as it used to.

I requested a consult with a hematologist, which action was not regarded

favorably. This in the USA. I have extensive private insurance besides medicare.

Thoughts any one. Normocytic but not anemic???

[EllieMayNot]

In using the term "normocytic" are they claiming that the size of your red blood cells means you don't have a B12 problem? In the US, many foods have added folic acid which "normalizes" what would otherwise become enlarged red blood cells, in effect making them look normal even though you have low B12. The heavy use of folic acid in foods means that looking for macrocytic cells is no longer effective in testing for PA/B12d. The only reliable way is with MMA testing.

b12awareness.org/about-b12/...

You can have PA/B12d without testing positive for anemia (which was true in my case). In fact, my serum B12 levels were right in the middle of normal yet I still had elevated MMA and Hcy as well as antibodies for Parietal Cells. I've suffered from increasing neurological damage for nearly 20 years due to poor testing and poor doctor education which is why I now cry out, "get your MMA levels tested" to anyone with similar issues.

Hope you find answers and solutions to your health issues!

[fbirder in reply to EllieMayNot]

Actually, the fortification of foods with folic acid is done at a level that is very unlikely to mask the macrocytic anaemia caused by a B12 deficiency. Here in the UK people like me had a severe B12 deficiency with no macrocytic anaemia and we don't have anywhere near the levels of fortification in some other countries.

It has always been the case that some people with a B12 deficiency do not have macrocytic anaemia.

[Nackapan in reply to fbirder]

I didn't either. My b12 was very low 106 with many neurological symptoms. I've not tested for PA either

So still a bit of a mystery why I'm clearly not absorbing b12 well. I'm assuming happened gradually with age /post menopause (just)and stomach acid not acidic enough. And too much stress for too many years. My body just not able to work as well. I was told at the beginning it would take a few months and I'd be back to normal! !😦

[fbirder in reply to Nackapan]

Almost certainly PA.

There is no good way of testing for PA. The best method of diagnosing it, in my opinion, is the presence of symptoms that go away with B12 injections - with no other explanation for a deficiency.

[EllieMayNot in reply to fbirder]

I strongly agree that we should be treated based on symptoms. Unfortunately, most GPs won't so we are left trying to prove we have something that is pretty much self evident with a simple trial of B12 injections. It should not be as difficult as it is! Preaching at the choir but completely fed up by the system that has left many of us permanently damaged!

[Nackapan in reply to fbirder]

Yes I agree. It's the only thing that's helped me . I'm still on 2 weekly b12 injections. It doesn't make sense to me to seemingly needing so often. I would like at least a month between injections as they still make me rough for a couple of days. Still far far away from functioning at a reasonable level.

[Lyntwo in reply to fbirder]

Thank You

[Lyntwo in reply to fbirder]

Thank You

[Lyntwo in reply to EllieMayNot]

Thank You.

[Sleepybunny in reply to EllieMayNot]

Hi,

Even MMA testing is not totally reliable.

Methylmalonic acid

stichtingb12tekort.nl/weten...

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

Misconceptions about a B12 deficiency

stichtingb12tekort.nl/weten...