How likely is a B12-deficiency among siblings?

[Lunario]

Hello, community.

I am concerned that my sister is deficient in B12 too because she has some signs and symptoms which would indicate to this:

# maybe a genetic predisposition?

# Hashimoto

# fatigue (she can barely manage a half-time job)

# tingling (!) on her limbs (thighs) and her arms too, I think

# stomach issues (!)

# mood swings

She has no pale face, so it seems she is probably (still) not deficient in iron, she's not vegetarian or even vegan.

A couple of years ago her GP diagnosed her with some rheumatic illness but the meds are not working and now she's on antidepressants, prescribed just recently.

B12, MMA or HCY has never been tested, which I urgently advised her to do that. Just to rule out or confirm a B12-deficiency and before symptoms got worse or she even would develop PA, like me.

Could it be a classic case of misdiagnosis? How strong could the genetic part be? Does anybody have experienced this in his or her own family?

[fbirder]

As far as I am aware there is no definite knowledge of the genetics of PA. It just seems more common in families.

Get a B12 test.

The tingling doesn't sound like its caused by a B12 deficiency (it normally affects the extremities - hands and feet) but ask to see a neurologist.

[Curtain96]

Myself my mum and my son all have PA. myself and my mum also have under active thyroid, my son is only 12 so there keeping an eye on his thyroid. The Paedritition is sending us to the genetics team. I think there is definitely a hereditary link in some people maybe not all. It could also maybe not be PA with you sister.

[Nackapan]

Get her to get tested. I've had my family checked.Theres 3 of us on injections now. My mum daughter and me.

Just keep pushing ti get theses tests done. When you are fatigued and poorly you cant think straight. I couldnt. Then got very ill.

[Lunario]

I already assumed that it can run within families, so thank you guys for encouraging me to push her to do the tests (and not blindly trust the results when they are in the gray zone).

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

Risk Factors for PA and B12 Deficiency

pernicious-anaemia-society....

b12deficiency.info/what-are...

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

I wrote a very detailed reply on another forum thread which has links to B12 books, B12 websites, UK B12 documents and other B12 info.

healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...

I hope you'll find some useful info in it .

I am not medically trained.

[Hidden]

Hi, should definitely try to get her tested.

Autoimmune conditions often effect families. Both my sons have autoimmune

conditions and are going to be tested for PA soon. My mother has intrinsic factor antibodies which was diagnosed over 40 yrs ago but has only recently started to have symptoms so ready to investigate further now.

Hope your sister gets to the bottom of her problems

H

[Lunario]

Thanks again for your answers and sympathy (I really appreciate everybody's kindness in this forum, what a luck to have found it).🙏

I will do my best to convince her.

@sleepybunny: thanks for your links, they are always interesting and helpful.

[MoKayD]

It doesn't do any harm to get tested. After suspecting that my daughter was B12 deficient, I hounded her for two years before she finally asked her doctor to do a blood test. When her report came back it said that her B12 was too low to read, "Below 50." Her doctor told her that she had never seen levels that low. So in addition to my daughter and myself having pernicious anemia, I found out last year that my cousin's daughter also has pernicious anemia. I also strongly suspect my sister has it but she is stubborn and won't get tested. There has to be some kind of genetic link.

[Lunario in reply to MoKayD]

Phew, that is really something! I will keep it in mind when I speak to her next time. Ah, the stubbornness, that's what we must deal with one or the other way, eh?

By the way, you can tell her doctor that you have met somebody who's B12 was < 50 ng/l as well when he was diagnosed - that's me. So, I find it interesting to hear about somebody with exactly the same low value. I Hope, everybody is well now.