Does this sound ok?

[Lunadoo]

My adult daughter was recently in hospital with a prolapsed disc and had a blood test which showed Hb of 10. Her GP did an iron profile and B12 as her uncle and grandfather had PA. B12 was 169 and ferritin 13 and HCT MCV and transferrin results abnormal. He is starting her on loading B12 injections and also iron tablets. She has looked unwell for some time. Is it common to have both iron deficiency anaemia with B12 deficiency? He hasn't actually said she has PA but am guessing he thinks so with this treatment programme?

[Vonnie-72]

Hi lunadoo, yes it is common I have both at present was diagnosed in may with both and started on loading doses and iron tablets my bloods were all abnormal too, I had them re-tested and their going in the right direction just takes a bit of time. Best wishes.

[Lunadoo in reply to Vonnie-72]

Thank you - I've been so worried. Looking back 4 years ago her B12 was 165 and GP told her to take iron! She has looked unwell for some time but recently looked quite lemony and had mouth ulcers and cracked edge of mouth. I feel this should have been picked up years ago! She also has to have a stool test to exclude bleeding as she has been taking NSAIDs and PPIs for ages and her Hb is dropping, which is why I've been so worried. Thankfully her new, young and keen GP seems to be proactive and she starts loading doses today. 88

[FlipperTD]

Scientist, not medic.

You have a good GP! He's treating the symptoms based on abnormal blood results. Arriving at a diagnosis of PA is clearly not straightforward nowadays [although it never was, to be fair]. The family history is suggestive. He's doing the right thing, and treating the deficiencies.

Iron balance is precarious, and we need a decent level of stomach acidity to aborb iron from the diet.