Could anyone help me with my results... - Pernicious Anaemi...

Pernicious Anaemia Society

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Could anyone help me with my results please

Paula1710 profile image
10 Replies

18/11/22

Serum iron 24 .4 range 5.8-34.5

Transferrin 2.34 range 2-3.6

Unsat binding capacity 59 range 50-90

% transf sat 41% range 16-40%

Haemoglobin 138 range 120-160

RBC 4.49 range 4.1-5.1

RDW 12 2% range 11.5-15.7

MCV 93.1 range 80-100

MCH 330 range 30.7 range 27-33

MCHC 30.7 range 320-369

25/11/22

Serum iron 15. 9

Transferrin 2.36

Unsat iron 59

% trans saturation 27%

Haemoglobin 139

RBC 4.48

RDW 12.4

MCV 93.0

MCH 30 .3

MCHC 326

ESR 10 RANGE 5-15 CRP 4 RANGE 0-4

8/12/22

Serum Iron 16 .6

Transferrin 2.48

Unsat binding capacity 62

% trans saturation 27%

Haemoglobin 140

RBC 4.67

RDW 12.7

MCV 93

MCH 30

MCHC 322

Ferritin in April 129 been declining since.Now 42.

Am I heading for anaemia? What is happening to my iron ? Got hairloss but could be stress or rapid weight loss

Going to see my GP but I'm sick of them saying within range and I don't understand it all to tackle them

My gastro thinks I have an absorption problem.On B12 injections.Have to supplement folate as it keeps dropping.

Lost 6 stone since March.Can PA be determined by a biopsy from upper endoscopy?

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Paula1710
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10 Replies
Gambit62 profile image
Gambit62Administrator

Your results don't seem to flag up a developing anaemia - the variations seem pretty minor so not significant.

PA (an auto-immune disorder that attacks the mechanisms that the body uses to absorb B12 from food) is one potential cause of a B12 deficiency. An endoscopy will allow your doctor to see what is going on in the terminal ileum and see if there is damage consistent with PA or other absorption problems.

The best test for PA as a specific cause is probably gastrin if it is available.

Paula1710 profile image
Paula1710 in reply to Gambit62

I've had a gastric parietal cell test done is that the one?

Littlelodge123 profile image
Littlelodge123 in reply to Paula1710

No a gastronomic test is quite different but if it is well over range is a good indicator of PA. The test you had done, parietal cell antibodies is not usually done to confirm PA these days, although I had it done and was positive and so PA confirmed.

Paula1710 profile image
Paula1710 in reply to Littlelodge123

Had 4 coeliac tests and intrinsic factor done 3 times both negative

Gastric parietal cell test result just said negative

WiscGuy profile image
WiscGuy in reply to Littlelodge123

The following quote is from an article abstract (summary) found at this link:

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/269...

[Start quote]

APCA [Anti-parietal cell antibodies] can be found in 85-90% of patients with PA. Their presence is not sufficient for diagnosis, because they are not specific for PA as they are also found in the circulation of individuals with other diseases.

[End quote]

However, it's my impression that a positive test result for intrinsic factor antibodies is thought to confirm pernicious anemia.

Sleepybunny profile image
Sleepybunny

Hi Paula1710,

Here's a link about testing for PA (Pernicious Anaemia).

pernicious-anaemia-society....

I've also read that a pepsinogen test may be useful.

PAS page for health professionals about diagnosing PA and B12 deficiency

pernicious-anaemia-society....

Have you had an Intrinsic Factor Antibody test (IFA/IFAb)?

This is the usual test for PA in UK. However a negative result in IFA test does not rule out PA.

IFA test can sometimes give a false positive if blood taken close to a B12 injection. Labs may suggest leaving at least 48 hours and up to two weeks after a B12 injection before testing IFA.

It's possible to have Antibody Negative PA but some GPs may not be aware of this possibility.

See diagnostic flowchart below.

Diagnostic flowchart from BSH Cobalamin and Folate Guidelines which mentions Antibody Negative PA.

stichtingb12tekort.nl/engli...

Link about "What to do next" if B12 deficiency suspected

b12deficiency.info/what-to-...

Unhappy with Treatment (UK info)?

Letters to GPs about B12 deficiency

b12deficiency.info/b12-writ...

If PA is a possibility, worth joining and talking to PAS who can offer support and pass on useful info.

PAS membership is separate to membership of this forum.

PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society)

Based in Wales, UK.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

There is a helpline number that PAS members can ring.

Blood tests linked to B12 deficiency

b12deficiency.info/b12-test...

Iron Studies

labtestsonline.org.uk/tests...

Have you been tested for coeliac disease?

UK guidelines below suggest anyone with unexplained B12, folate or iron deficiency should be tested. If you were tested in past and had a negative result check the GP followed recommended diagnostic process, some don't....

NICE guidelines Coeliac disease

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng20

People with coeliac disease may get a negative result in usual coeliac test if

1) they have IgA deficiency

IgA is an immunoglobulin.

2) they were not eating enough gluten before blood was tested

More info on Coeliac UK website.

Some UK B12 documents

NHS article about B12 deficiency and folate deficiency (simply written)

nhs.uk/conditions/vitamin-b...

BSH Cobalamin and Folate Guidelines

b-s-h.org.uk/guidelines/gui...

BNF Hydroxocobalamin

bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/hydrox...

NICE CKS B12 deficiency and Folate deficiency

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/anae...

There are currently new NICE guidelines in development for Pernicious Anaemia and B12 deficiency. These should be published in 2023.

nice.org.uk/guidance/indeve...

If you click on "project documents" then on "consultation comments and responses" it gives a good insight into current issues around diagnosis and treatment (lots of pages).

Some UK forum members find that their doctors have misconceptions (wrong ideas) about B12 deficiency.

Misconceptions about a B12 deficiency

(From Dutch B12 website - units, ref ranges, treatment patterns may vary from UK)

stichtingb12tekort.nl/engli...

Diagnosis and Treatment Pitfalls

(From B12 Institute in Netherlands - units, ref ranges, treatment patterns may vary from UK)

b12-institute.nl/en/diagnos...

"Got hairloss "

Have you had any thyroid tests?

It's quite common for people on this forum to have thyroid issues as well as PA/B12 deficiency.

Link about Thyroid tests

thyroiduk.org/thyroid-funct...

If thyroid issue suspected

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-un...

There's a lot more info I can post.

Let me know if you'd like me to post more.

I'm not medically trained.

Paula1710 profile image
Paula1710

Iga normal in April.Just checked b12 injections was a month before test but don't know if I was eating gluten around that time. Thyroid TSH keeps going up to 4 1 the highest and TS4 was 22.7 just over range once so they're saying my Thyroid normal.Think they are going to do another endoscopy this will be my 8th surely they'd see stomach damage to confirm PA

Sleepybunny profile image
Sleepybunny in reply to Paula1710

"surely they'd see stomach damage to confirm PA"

Have you accessed any of the reports/letters that the gastro specialist sent to GP after your endoscopies?

You should also be able to access hospital records.

Accessing medical records

nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/about-...

Paula1710 profile image
Paula1710 in reply to Sleepybunny

As I've been on a POI damage could be masked.Afrer 14 years just cone off it for this endoscopy so hopefully see what's what I need access to my full hospital medical records Onlune doesn't tell me much

Sleepybunny profile image
Sleepybunny in reply to Paula1710

The hospital should have a records section.

Ring hospital main switchboard number and ask to be put through to records department who should be able to tell you about process of accessing records.

You will probably need to make a SAR which stands for Subject Access Request.

You may need to provide documents that prove your identity.

You could put "Subject Access Request" in search box on hospital website.

The Patients Association article on accessing medical records

patients-association.org.uk...

The Patients Association have a helpline.

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