Medichecks Pernicious Anaemia Test

[Chasing-rainbows]

Hi,

Just wondering whether anyone here has had the medichecks test done to see if they have Pernicous Anaemia? I have Hashimotos, and my B12 level at my last blood test was 343 (180-900)

I'm not getting very far with my GP at the moment, so looking at private testing.

Would be interested to hear others' experiences.

Many Thanks.

[wedgewood]

I’m afraid that there is no such thing as a Pernicious Anaemia test There is only an Intrinsic Factor Antibody test , which will let you know if you have any I.F. antibodies present in your blood at the time of testing . About 50 % of P.A. patients don’t have them when tested — So you might have to have several tests before they show up. . It’s pretty dire , because if those antibodies don’t show up , many doctors interpret that negative result as meaning you don’t have P.A. That is not necessarily the case. Symptoms are the most reliable evidence . Of course you can be lucky ( I was ) and get an immediate positive result . But it’s really awful for that IFAB test to be regarded as Gospel . It is NOT if you test negative . It’s 99% correct if you test positive . No one knows why the antibodies come and go . Another of life’s mysteries , which will be uncovered one day .

[Chasing-rainbows in reply to wedgewood]

Ahh thank you, I was just calling it what they call it on the medichecks site medichecks.com/products/com...

I'm interested to find out if I test positive for the intrinsic factor antibodies, as I already have TPO antibodies, but I understand what you're saying that a negative I.F. test doesn't necessarily rule out P.A which is really bad for those missed cases.

Just trying to rule out any other underlying auto immune diseases at the moment due to recurrent miscarriage.

I do get brain fog, fatigue etc but that could also be due to the Hashimotos, or the low ferritin that I also have at the moment. Ferritin was 20. Will probably get the test anyway, and if it's positive that gives me another answer, and if it's negative, I guess I'll have to wait and see.

I had recently started B12 supplements, but am going to have to stop them again now as I know I need to be off of them for two weeks before the test. Was just trying in desperation to do something to get my energy levels back!

Appreciate the reply, so much to learn

[wedgewood in reply to Chasing-rainbows]

It’s really misleading of them to call that test a Pernicious Anaemia test . But at least you know the facts about it now. Best of luck with it all . I remember in our Chairman’s first book about P.A. that he mentioned a female doctor who just could not get get pregnant. It turned out she had P.A. and once she had the correct treatment she did have a baby .