Hi my sisters daughter recently had bloods done folate was 3.9 (range 3.9-20) b12 was 368 but had been taking child multi vits, any way roll on 3 months no multi v but folate 400m daily, bloods redone folate slightly higher 7.9 b12 had gone up to 427 no iron or ferritin tests (doctor said no need) intrinsic factor came back positive.
My understanding is with I.f positive means she has p.a, doctor says no as her other levels are OK. So no diagnosis of p.a, no b12 injections.
Any advice please
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shortytlc
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Thanks for replying, gp says currently not p.a but in the future could be! So if bloods came back below range would definitely go on injections.
They had asked for iron etc but gp said not needed but sister insisted on getting i.f. with family history. Her daughter constantly tired/low mood/pale not thriving also possibly autistic. High attaining/masking Said about being symptomatic and possible trial but nope not having any of it. I thought if i.f. positive has to be p.a ? Oh and she's 16 most definitely not vegan.
If she doent improve just keep going back. Thers a 95% chance ot is PA
There is also something called functional b12 deficiency. Something to look up.
So worrying for you all.
Do keep pushing though. One of my daughters b12 deficiency was missed. She got a label of fibromyalgia and they stopped testing . Did brain scans . Tilt table. Sent round and round. Ni one filled in the dots . Not one b12 test amongst so many blood tests.
It only came to light when she developed POTs and was in hospital. By then she had the megobskastic anaemia POts and loads of other symptoms . Her folate was very low too.
A positive IFAB test means there's around a 95% chance of PA. So she may be one of the 5% who give a false positive. I'll bet that is what the doc assumes.
It may be that your niece has only recently acquired PA and that she is surviving on stored B12 (the average liver contains about 4 year's worth).
The two B12 tests are, essentially, the same. The serum test is neither precise nor accurate. A real serum B12 concentration of 390 might give results ranging from 340 to 440 - when repeatedly measuring the same sample.
Were these tests done for a specific reason (symptoms that led to to suspect a deficiency) or just part of a standard MOT? If she has symptoms then it might be worth trying to persuade the doc to trial B12 injections, but I wouldn't hold out too much hope.
Otherwise, keep a regular check on B12 levels, keep up with the folate, and keep an eye on possible symptoms.
Test had been done due to other sufferers within family, and sister was worried about her daughter, is it just normal teen thing or B12? But after leaving possible autism diagnosos after school etc said no she's fine hitting tar gets etc she doesn't want to leave this hanging if that makes sense. She did try and go for trial stating bnf and nice but nope not interested!
Gp definitely said that in future if her B12 came back lower than the range then she would need injections from then.
Hi,if there is a strong family PA connection especially on mothers side,then I would keep pushing for a diagnosis.only in the last few years did my daughter and I test positive,but I honestly think we have had PA a long time.only digging did I find more female family members also have this condition.good luck on your journey x
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