I couldn't get my GP to test for PA so I started supplementing with B12 tablets regardless.
When I test again can I assume that if my levels go up then I don't have PA?
(I do also have an under active thyroid so have the absorption issue that go along with it, if that changes anything?)
Thank you 
Did you have tour b12 levels tested? If you can absorb the b12 tablet or should also alleviate your b12 symptoms. Hopefully this is the case for you.
Also get your folate vit d and iron done . They can all give horrid symptoms if low.
So yes if your levels rIses with the tablet and eases symptoms great.
I did. My active b12 via thrivia was 45 (37.5 - 188) but my total B12, admittedly 2 months earlier, done by the GP was 403 (200 - 960) so GP not interested as in not deficient.
I have Hashimoto's so low folate, ferritin, and Vit D as well, I'm just aware that auto-immume diseases rarely come alone so I'm keeping an eagle eye on that B12 level.
Thank you for your time
Very wise. Akeats good ti monitor. Main thing is going by symptoms and listening to your body
Don't make that assumption. There are people with PA that can increase their b12 blood serum level with tablets or sublinguals.
Also, once you begin supplementing you can skew the test results. It sold also be noted that the Parietal cell antibody and intrinsic factor blocking antibody test often have false negatives.
The GPC antibody test is prone to false positives. A relatively large proportion of the general population test positive, particularly amongst the elderly. 10% of those in their seventies will test positive. Close relatives of those with PA may test 30% positive, despite having no symptoms.
The IF antibody test is prone to false negatives (about 50% of those with PA). It can also give false positives in people with very high serum levels of B12.
My GP isn't interested in doing the PA test so supplementation is all I can do at the moment. My plan was to take B12 for a few months before stopping to test it again. If I don't have PA my levels will stay high. 🤞🏼
People with PA cannot absorb B12 at all.
However, there are many other absorption problems (like age-related achlorhydria) where the absorption is hindered, not totally blocked. In those situations enough of a high dose of B12 may be absorbed to raise blood levels. They may even be raised enough to alleviate symptoms.
Hi Fbirder
In relation to b12 levels increasing with supplements, you (and others) have said in the past, that if this is the case then one doesn’t need injections. This is a logical assumption but I am rather non-plussed by the NICE gp advice that states that they should not test b12 levels because a normal or high incidence of b12 in the blood does not necessarily mean the patient can utilise the b12.
My GP believes the first part and ignores the NICE advice.
If one can absorb b12 either naturally or with supplements but, as NICE states, one cannot utilise it what difference will b12 delivered directly into the blood stream achieve?
Hi fbirder that was what I thought. Thank you for confirming. I have hashis so low vitamin levels generally. I'm hoping that my active b12 is low just due to general absorption but I'm aware autoimmune diseases don't tend to come alone so I'm keeping an eye on it.
Thank you for your help!
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