New to Pernicious Anaemia - what basi... - Pernicious Anaemi...

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New to Pernicious Anaemia - what basic steps to take first?

Hi folks - GP sent on bloods today - low B12, low ferritin, high cholesterol, low haemoglobin and hematocrit (as well as sky high prolactin - another story!)

So... I'm guessing that pretty much pernicious anaemia, right? Anything I should look into while I nudge the GP into action? I already take a high potency B Complex.

Oh - and I was diagnosed with ADHD this year.... now the brain fog seems to make sense though!

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JOG24

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JOG243 years ago

Attaching B12 test result

Blood Test B12

JOG243 years ago

Attaching Ferritin Blood test result

Ferritin blood test result

JOG243 years ago

Attaching full blood count showing other anaemia-related results

FBC

Nackapan3 years ago

Yrs your ferritin very low. Has the doctor started you on iron ?

Have you got a PA diagnosis?

If not begore treatment get a intrinsic factor antybody test.

Was your folate tested at the same timessxb12? ?

B12 shoukf be treated before folate.

You dont mention symptoms,?

Apart from brain fog.

Also vit D shoukd be tested.

Are you having a b12 rich diet?

Hope your trestment starts soon

JOG243 years ago

Thanks Nackapan for the response. My symptoms are so varied - I was convinced I was in perimenopause for the past 4 years and was begging for HRT - exhaustion, brain fog, memory issues...but also weight gain, irritability, low mood, heavy periods, lack of sleep...

The ADHD meds got me sleeping and gave me my brain back - everything else is still there - cystic acne joined in for the fun 😟

Folate looks OK - just Ferritin and B12 are low - see attached

Folate

Gambit62Administrator3 years ago

Just to clarify PA is an auto-immune disorder of the gut that attacks the mechanism that allows you to absorb B12 - it can also affect other vitamins and minerals, particularly iron and folate, absorption.You certainly seem to have results indicating both iron deficiency and B12 deficiency - which would suggest an absorption problem and PA is the most likely candidate but there are other possibilities, such as h pylori infection and SIBO.

JOG24 in reply to Gambit623 years ago

I'm not sure the GP is interested in more testing - just treatment. However, I've had this issue all my life (being anaemic with low B12 and iron) - it just never got THIS low before. I did revert to a vegetarian diet a few years ago to try to reset my hormones (actually initially it was a vegan, gluten-free, low FODMAP diet 🙄) so maybe the lack of meat has accelerated the decline. I was using high strength transdermal B12 patches so a long time and I currently take a high potency B-complex vitamin but I can't seem to move the needle.

GP has faxed a prescription for injections to the pharmacy - pharmacy won't do the injection so I need to get back to him tomorrow to see if he'll do at least the first one...

Nackapan in reply to JOG243 years ago

Try and get your intrinsic factor antibody blood test before your first injection. Not a definitive test but it's most accurate results it appears before treatment starts

A negative test fiescnot rule out PA but a positive one accurate fir axduagnisus if PA

Although yiur duet kackwdxsnt b22 on tge vegan regime yiu say it done time ago . Depends gir how long. Certainly yiu eoujd gave used stores if able foingbtgst time. Mat be a reason fir low ferritin. ??

Useful to know if dietary or an absorbtion problem for maintenence dosing after your loading doses .

Sone cope on 2-3 monthly maintenance b12 injections of Hydroxocobalamin or monthly of cyanocobalamin.

With PA or an absorbtion problem often more are needed. T c

helvella3 years ago

The combination of high cholesterol and sky high prolactin makes me think of hypothyroidism.

I suggest you consider posting in the Thyroid UK forum (as well as continuing here).

healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk

Hypothyroidism can also contribute to low iron.

deniseinmilden in reply to helvella3 years ago

Hi Helvella,

Please will you post your excellent "Micrograms, milligrams and grams" post and link on this forum too?

It is so useful to everyone.

Thank you!

Hedgeree3 years ago

Hi JOG24,

I agree with Helvella.

On reading your post, you appear to be describing possible hypothyroidism symptoms.

I've learnt a lot from reading the posts here and on the thyroid forum whilst trying to get diagnosed myself.

Again you will get good advice on how to approach your gp.

JOG243 years ago

Thanks folks - I need to have a brain MRI to rule out a pituitary tumour first.. In the meantime, I have B12 injections monthly, and I'll get some iron today. I'm also starting Dostinex to reduce the high prolactin for 4 weeks. If that can't regulate it, then it's off to an endocrinologist I think for Thyroid testing.

Chittychatty in reply to JOG243 years ago

Hi I was just going to jump on to say about sky high prolactin level is almost always due to a pituitary tumour.my daughter has had hers all her life and she’s 51 so none life threatening. Now I see you are referred for MRI. Wishing you good health.