Advice needed - could these results mean possible pernicious anaemia?

[meggiemog]

I am in a quest to find out what is going on with my body - whilst waiting (rather a long time) for a neurology appointment to come though. I am suffering with tiredness, brain fog, restless and crampy legs, lost hearing in one ear with white noise tinnitus and balance issues too - as well as neck/ shoulder problems and constipation - to name a few things. Also developed alcohol intolerance (1 double gin and tonic makes me throw up!). I have had my thyroid fully checked via medichecks as I was convinced I had a problem there - the test I had taken threw up these results which someone in the thyroid group said may point in your direction - I am not so sure.

Ferritin 148 (range 13 - 150)

Folate serum 8.14 (range 3.89 - 19.45)

Vitamin B12 - active 47.4 (range 37.5 - 188)

Vitamin D 28.9 (range 50 -175)

I have already started to take vitamin D as per their advice - but wondered if anyone could shed any light? I may have another 3 months to wait to see a consultant!

[pvanderaa]

It may be caused by a B12D and not specifically PA, which is antibodies to IF or to Parietal cells and tends to be genetic.

In any case, it sounds like symptoms of neurological damage.

Start a logbook of all your symptoms and provide a list of all symptoms to the Dr at the appointment.

Others on this site will provide lots of literature and references to prepare for your appointment.

Ask for B12, folate, homocysteine tests.

[meggiemog in reply to pvanderaa]

Thanks Pvanderaa,

I thought PA unlikely due to high ferritin level. I am thinking of accessing Bupa now as I have this through a scheme at work - have been waiting to see someone in NHS since June - called neurology department on Friday to be told how far down the list I was - (my husband works for NHS) when they told me where I was placed - he said I would be lucky if I see someone in the next 3 months! He says go private! Talking through my options with GP on Monday - I know they did their best as I was an 'urgent ' referral

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to meggiemog]

PA is an auto-immune gastric condition and the inclusion of anaemia in the name is rather misleading. It actually attacks the mechanism that you use to absorb most of the B12 in your diet leading to B12 deficiency. One of the many symptoms of b12 deficiency is a specific type of anaemia in which your red blood cells are larger and rounder than normal. This is different from the anaemia caused by iron deficiency which makes your red blood cells smaller. It is also possible to have both types of anaemia going on at the same time. As PA results is associated with lower stomach acidity it can also affect the absorption of other micronutrients - including iron - but B12 deficiency on its own doesn't affect iron status, and ferritin is a good measure of iron status (though not definitive)

[meggiemog in reply to Gambit62]

Thanks Gambit62 . I have not really shown any iron problems on full blood tests taken by GP - just a couple of dodgy TSH readings- hence having medichecks blood test done. From what I can see neurology is possibly the best route to uncover what's going on. I've read low vitamin d and b12 with high ferritin could be linked to something like rheumatoid arthritis or liver problems. Either not great! I have had a fundoplication operation to fix hiatus hernia and sort out awful acid reflux I had as well as full hysterectomy - so I have seen a fair few consultants in my time. I know I am rambling now - and it's nothing to do with PA !!!