I have had 12 weekly B12 injections for a few years now. In February I discovered I have Normocytic anemia, and my gp told me that it occurs due to blood loss and my red cell count is low.
I had a FIT test wwhich came back negative, which is great. But I am having a colonoscopy and gastrostomy next week. I just wondered whether this has anything to do with my B12 deficiency?
The only connection I've ever heard of is rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. I expect many more things Including infections.
B12 deficiency/PA can accompany the sort if aneamia when the blood cells are too big so this different to what you have.
I don't know but I do not think there's a connection.
What did your doctor say?
I hope your investigations go okay and nothing found.
the procedures will be looking for a bleed to explain the blood loss that is causing the normocytic anaemia - so not directly related to B12 deficiency.Hope the procedures go well.
I have normocytic anaemia but mine is caused by low ferritin (my level was 3!). I also had the FIT test which came back negative. As I am under 50 (I'm 46) they didn't do a colonoscopy and the GP thinks it's my periods (I don't but, whatever...). I hope you get to the bottom of why you're anaemic.
Hi Curlygirl, pleased to hear that you've been diagnosed. Are you taking ? Ferritin supplements? It's just the fatigue that is getting me down!! Thank you for your reply.
The doctor put me on iron supplements (ferrous fumarate) but I couldn't tolerate them (stomach pain, severe reflux) so I'm taking gentle iron from Holland and Barrett. The doctor had said to take that if I couldn't tolerate the prescribed stuff...I'm taking 40mg but probably going to try 60mg; she didn't tell me how much to take. I don't get another blood test for 2 months. My symptoms are fatigue, muscle pain and breathless on exertion which is really annoying because I want to be able to walk more. Initially I put it down to lingering B12 symptoms and only contacted the GP because of nail changes!
How old are you? I know if you're over 50 they look for blood loss. It's good you're getting a colonoscopy because that will rule it in or out.
Hi Curlygirl, will your Ferritin levels return to normal eventually? Sorry to ask, but I know nothing, forgive my ignorance. The fatigue is awful, but the breathlessness happens suddenly, doing something that I used to take for granted!! Muscles and joints are sensitive to touch.
I am a lot older than you, I spoke with the consultant who said it wasn't cancer!! That's a relief!! Thank you for your reply.
I hope so! I guess that would be the aim. My GP intends me to have a blood test after 3 months so we'll see. My understanding is that some people may need to continue supplementation after the anaemia is resolved, but at a lower dose. The tablets I got from her though were very high strength (210mg) and the ones I'm taking are only 20mg, although I've got up to 60mg and may even try more. So far I'm tolerating it ok. My immunology consultant told me to take as much as I could tolerate. I don't feel TOO bad, just the exercise intolerance is a pain, but it's been that way for a while which is why I thought it was the B12.
I'm glad it's not cancer! Hope all goes well with your colonoscopy and gastroscopy. Is that the same as an endoscopy? I had one of those a few years ago and it was ok. Wouldn't be scared to have another, but definitely take the sedation! I did and all was good.
What is the difference between that anaemia and iron anaemia? My ferritin level has been below range unless I take iron supplements for most of my life but I’ve just been told it’s anaemia. When I’ve stopped supplements for a time my ferritin has become low again. When I was younger blood tests often came back saying no ferritin stores.
Sorry, do you mean the difference between anaemia caused by bleeding and anaemia caused by iron deficiency?
I meant what is the difference because iron anaemia and normocytic anaemia? I’ve not heard of normocytic anaemia. I assumed the anaemia I had when I was younger was because of heavy menstruation. But although it’s nowhere near as bad I’ve continued to get anaemic years later.
Anaemia means that you have less haemoglobin than you should have. Normocytic anaemia refers to the size of the red blood cells (denoted by the MCV on your full blood count). So normocytic means the average size of your red blood cells is normal. Iron deficiency anaemia usually causes microcytic anaemia (smaller size red blood cells) but can also cause normocytic anaemia in its early stages. Normocytic anaemia can also be as a result of mixed deficiencies of iron and B12/folate because B12 and folate deficiencies cause macrocytic anaemia (bigger size red blood cells) and when there is a mixture in your blood of smaller and bigger sized red blood cells, the sample will appear normal (I think the measurement is an average of the size of your red blood cells).
Sorry if this is not a very good explanation; I'm not a scientist or medic but fbirder or other forum members may be able to explain it better.
Hi,
My understanding of normocytic anaemia is that the red blood cells are normal sized but there are less red blood cells than expected.
There is a type of anaemia that can be associated with B12 (and also with folate deficiency) where the red blood cells are enlarged. This is macrocytic anaemia.
Macrocytic anaemia may be masked (not obvious in blood results) if a patient also has a condition that causes microcytic anaemia (small red blood cells) eg iron deficiency.
B12 deficiency (and I think folate deficiency also) can lead to cytopenia, where there are lower than expected numbers of various types of blood cells.
If you search online for "B12 deficiency cytopenia" you may find out more. Some articles may have details that could be upsetting.
I am not medically trained.
Hi sleepybunny,
My gp said my anemia is caused by blood loss, and is investigating the cause.
The recent test highlights the mean corpuscular haemoglobin and the mean corpuscular volume, he wants to know why I am not making enough red blood cells.
Thank you for your reply and advice.
Hi Brookey If its not personal how are your bowels ? I have thought for the past 10 years I had PA but got diagnosed last month with UC . Have a look at the Crohns and colitis page and see if you have other symptoms. My B12 was low as was my D3 , had mouth ulcers, back pain, joint pain, tired, etc etc assumed it was all related to my PA but no. UC and Crohns affect the bodies ability to absorb the nutrients ( vitamins etc) in the bowel ( or something like that - no expert just finding my way and reading bits)
Word of advice for your colonoscopy the medication you take before the procedure is the worse part ...camp out on the toilet ( its very quick acting) if you need any help or to chat please ping me. Oh and add dilute juice to the mix or have a glass of juice to the side to help wash it down and use a straw xx 
good luck
Hello Ozzy123,Thank you for your very helpful reply, and no, I am don't you asking about my bowels!! Thank you for the heads up about the preop mango and passion fruit punch!!! Yes it is very fast working. Great minds!! I told my daughter ? Colitis/crohn's.
I will be having the work done later today. So thank you I will keep you posted. Have a good day, speak again soon.
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