PA?

[debbiejayn]

Hi all..I recently had a blood test to check my levels re my thyroid as I have been taking meds for Graves disease..The doc rang me back within 3 hours to say my Neutrophils were low Re test in 3 weeks. I spoke to the doc later and he said they were checking B12 and folate. I didnt think much of it until a few days ago when I started having weird tingling and burning sensations in my mouth and my lips became really dry.,and yesterday whilst eating, the skin on the inside of my cheek came off..(tmi!) No blood just a big red patch..I googled(as you do!) and it came up as possible PA..I've been taking 30mg of Lanzoperole for years. Also had many falls( 2 which fractured vertebrae and my eyesight is worsening.. Wondering if this sounds familiar? Many thanks for reading.D.x

[Nackapan]

Yes to many it does.Hope you get some answers soon.

Someone else posted about their mouth.

Get a print out of your results

Always treat low b12 before folate

[debbiejayn in reply to Nackapan]

Thankyou I will..D.x

[Cherylclaire Forum Support]

Have you had your vitamin D tested too ? I would.I have osteoporosis of the spine and osteopenia of the neck- and a vitamin D deficiency, alongside B12 deficiency, is quite common. So is ferritin and/or folate deficiency.

As Nackapan said, get B12 addressed before folate.

Falls could be from dizziness, co-ordination and balance problems caused by B12 deficiency, but fractured vertebrae may be caused by osteoporosis - requires a Dexascan so ask your GP.

Grave's disease also has links to B12 deficiency caused by Pernicious Anaemia as it is an autoimmune disease. Two of my sisters have this - autoimmune diseases not only can come in groups of 2 or 3 but can be hereditary - so family history might be an indicator. Others include Hashimoto's (another thyroid condition), vitiligo and psoriasis, but there are more than 100. These are the few that seem most commonly linked to PA as far as I know.

Burning mouth quite common with B12 deficiency, as is angular cheilitis (split, cracked, bleeding or sore corners of mouth which don't heal easily). Tongue can feel sore and too large for mouth -and present with "pie-crust" edge (teeth imprints).

Eyesight can be blurry too. Worth going to the optician -a knowledgeable one can run a check to see if the back of your eye has been affected by B12 deficiency. Ask: my optician showed me on screen what it looked like and thankfully I did not have it. Peace of mind if you have deteriorating eyesight.

PPIs such as Lansoprazole or Omeprazole, taken long-term, will compromise your B12 intake. Worth looking at "Drugs that deplete: Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)" by University of Maryland for other medications than can affect B12.

[debbiejayn in reply to Cherylclaire]

Hi Cherylclaire..Thankyou so much for all that information..I have been taking Lanzaprazole for many years which I think is a PPI..I've been checked for Osteo and I dont have it...I landed on the kerb stone on my spine so was forced impact which caused the fractures...I am always stumbling..I took my husband to A and E last wk and fell on my face on the way in...Re my sight it is closely monitored as I have has a corneal transplant so have to see a Consultant every 6months..I have noticed a deterioration in my sight recently and had put this down to expected deterioration in my other eye..Maybe I should get it checked..Do any of these things deteriorate rapidly as I seem to have started feeling unwell quite quickly,and as a lot of symptoms overlap with Leukaemia I am worried.I've got a blood test next thursday to see if my neutrophils have improved.They have been going down.Thankyou so much for your help.D.x

[Cherylclaire Forum Support in reply to debbiejayn]

Yes, a PPI. Long-term use will deplete B12.Do not leave any sign of deterioration unchecked, especially when noticing rapid decline.

Particularly important to tell GP that you are falling over without cause lately (even if you think it is possibly related to your eyesight).

I am not medically trained so I can't tell you anything about the function of neutrophils or how to rule out Leukaemia. All I know is that neutrophils are there to defend against bacterial infection. This might explain feeling worse lately - get onto your GP even if just to ask some questions.

Thyroid and B12 deficiency can be difficult conditions to control, so having both a double nightmare I should imagine. I'd ask for an appointment rather than a phone call.

[debbiejayn in reply to Cherylclaire]

Thankyou for your help..I will..Our GPs are really good..so should be ok..I've been reading that Neutrophils vary massively with time of day bloods taken....Mine was done at 8am when they're at their lowest apparently ,so see what next test says...thanks again.D..