B12

[Dmth]

How do i know if it's PA or just deficiency. I had loading doses every 2nd day for 2 weeks and now every 12 weeks for life. I haven't spoke to a doctor since diagnosed as receptionist phoned and organised everything for me

[fbirder]

There is no way to know for certain that it is PA. But that doesn't really matter. What matters is that your treatment is keeping your symptoms at bay.

[Dmth in reply to fbirder]

Well it did but now since covid I'm late getting injection and really feel it, but only another 3 weeks till my appointment

[Seth12345]

Were you eating foods containing b12?

Were you on medications that block the absorption of b12?

You can ask questions like this and deduce the possibilities and their likelihoods.

[Dmth in reply to Seth12345]

As with foods yes I eat most thing apart from seafood.. No medication as a cause

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

If you have neurological symptoms and you're in UK, you should be on injections every 2 months. See links below.

BSH Cobalamin and Folate Guidelines

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

BNF Hydroxycobalamin

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

"How do i know if it's PA or just deficiency"

Have you considered joining and talking to PAS?

PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society)

Based in Wales, UK.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

There is a helpline number that PAS members can ring.

Link about "What to do next" if B12 deficiency suspected or newly diagnosed.

b12deficiency.info/what-to-...

Have a look at my replies in the thread I linked to below which has links to B12 deficiency symptoms lists, causes of B12 deficiency, B12 books, more B12 websites, UK B12 documents and other B12 info including some hints on dealing with unhelpful GPs which might be useful.

healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...

"now since covid I'm late getting injection"

I left a detailed reply about impact of pandemic on B12 treatment in UK in next link which might be of interest if you're UK based.

healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po.....

I am not medically trained.

[Dmth]

Regarding symptoms I was originally diagnosed with carpal tunnel about 7 years ago but after trips bk and forward to hospital decided they actual didn't know what was wrong with me. I decided to do private blood tests as had plenty symptoms of b12 deficiency and pains due to either siatica/neuralgia and plantar faciatis.. Alot of arguing with my own GP to check and yip was deficient

[Cherylclaire Forum Support]

Whether it is PA or B12 deficiency, it feels the same because the problem is the B12 deficiency. Sometimes accompanied by folate, ferritin and/or vitamin D being below range or low within range.

Although tests for pernicious anaemia are not always accurate, or are expensive so unlikely to be suggested or repeated, misdiagnosis is also quite common, so people can spend a lot of time being sent to consultants and specialists and still never know for sure.

Clues to PA could be in your family history : autoimmune conditions often group, so vitiligo, autoimmune thyroid conditions, psoriasis may also be indications that make it more likely.

fbirder is right: controlling your symptoms is most important. Takes a while sometimes.

Sleepybunny also right in that you should be getting injections every 2 months if any symptoms are neurological.

A daily record, showing symptoms' severity and frequency might help you persuade your GP to see how long this improves with injection, and when you deteriorate again if a pattern emerges. No need for a GP to reduce your quality of life by expecting your health to continue to yoyo up and down indefinitely unnecessarily- if guidelines will allow for more frequent injections.