B12 Deficiency / PA & Sjorgen's

[lambuth_eagle]

Is there a link between low B12 and Sjorgen's? Anyone dealing with both of these as well as low Ferritin/Iron? I have an appointment in two weeks with a rheumatologist as my PCP referred me after some bloodwork came back borderline. After reading a little about Sjorgen's it is hard to know what symptoms I've been experiencing might be due to PA or low ferritin vs. wondering if it is in fact Sjorgen's as well.

[Jillymo]

Yes I have both.

There is lots of information on the net about a connection........

After adjusting for patients' age and other factors that could cause vitamin B12 deficiency, Sjögren's syndrome was found to be significantly associated with low levels of this essential nutrient. Specifically, Sjögren's patients were 6.45 times more likely to have a deficiency in vitamin B12

Hope this helps answer your question,

[Gambit62 Administrator]

Both sjorgens and PA are autoimmune disorders and there is a high probability of someone with one auto-immune disorder having/developing other auto-immune disorders

[Parlay]

I have both. Some symptoms do overlap except for the sicca symptoms and terrible joint pains.

[BS2022]

Have you been tested for H.Pylori? Can cause poor absorption of both B12 and other nutrients including iron, whilst triggering antibodies and other AI conditions. What Sjogrens symptoms are you having? Is it mainly dry eye?

[bookish]

Hi, bound to be a connection - Sjogren's affects composition of saliva, not just quantity, so you may be lacking enzymes (amylase for example, making it harder to deal with starches) and also haptocorrin which binds and protects B12. You may also have antibodies against any or all of salivary protein, parietal cells and intrinsic factor, and the gut damage common with Sjogren's may affect absorption further along too. May turn out that you have underlying Small Fibre Neuropathy, which is common alongside Sjogren's (may be caused by Sjogren's although far from the only cause, as B12/folate deficiency can do it too amongst others). I have SFN and a family PA/B12D problem, not yet sure if Sjogren's is in the mix too but personally I doubt it. Best wishes