WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY AND PERNICIOUS ANAEMIA?

[BrianTheElder]

The above is the title of a webpage on the Home page of the PAS (first tab).

However, like a Times article, the headline bears no relationship with the words below., ie it doesn't describe the difference, it just describes B12 deficiency. There is a similar page describing Pernicious Anaemia, but again, no info on the difference.

Does anyone know of an accepted definition of the difference?

[wedgewood]

Pernicious Anaemia is an autoimmune Vitamin B12 deficiency .condition . Caused by Intrinsic Factor Antibodies which destroy the parietal cells in the stomach . Parietal cells produce the Intrinsic Factor . a protein which is essential for the absorption of vitamin B12 . These cells also produce stomach acid , also needed fir B12 absorption, but also for other vitamins , minerals and trace elements . Pernicious Anaemia is incurable , and must be treated for life with B12 injections.

Other B12 deficiencies can be caused by

A diet which is insufficient in foods that contain vitamin B12 , namely meat, fish, dairy products and eggs . It can be rectified by either consumption of b12 foods or taking B12 tablets. ( for vegans and strict vegetarians )

Certain stomach operations which remove the parietal cells

Infestation by fish tapeworm , caused by eating infected raw fish or inadequately smoked fish

The taking of certain medications eg metformin , PPIs ( proton pump inhibitors ) and other stomach acid suppressors. Look up other medications that can impair absorption of B12.

The abuse of Nitrous Oxide( Laughing Gas)

Helicobacter Pylori infection

Pernicious Anaemia is the most common cause of B 12 deficiency.

[Nackapan]

It's all very confusing isn't it.I don't fit 'the other reasons '

I.e was on no medications

Not diet related

No operations

It had never been tested so I nevef knew what my baseline of b12 I operated on when well.

B12 levels do drop after childbirth and back in the day pre conception vitamins and post natal vitamins went given or recommended.

Now they are.

Hormonal changes in men and women are a risk factor to absorbtion issues ftom a diet that kept us healthy got years.

Digestive issues also csn occur with age as everything g less efficient.

So as stated by Wedgewood PA is the most common reason.

Unfortunately we do not have a reliable test to confirm this for about 50% .

As it creeps up on us . In my case 3-4 yesrs of nog feeling myself .

Vision down.

Weary

Constipation.( so are less red meat!)

Irritable

Was getting s bit paranoid

'Over sensitive '

Clumsy

Headaches

Then started to fall over

All thought to be be menopause symptoms.

I'd not been to the Gp for 7 years.

Asked for iron levels to be tested .

No red flags fir Gp.

Just told I was stressed

To consider antidepressants

Went 3 times for the same response.

Then collapsed, then vertigo ect ect .

Very first b12 level 106(200-900,l)

Still told not that low must be something else.

Hit on the head ect.

So with my only 'risk factor ' being age and the menopause I think that the trigger.

I certainly need weekly injections and still am nowhere near ' normal functioning '

Am grateful for many improvements all down to b12 and multi vits.

Am on no other medication.

To date nothing g else has been found.

I hate not knowing .

Never had an IFAB test as before injections started gp ordered a parietal cell anti body test which was negative .

Since then only offered IFAB trst once when the practice was using it to stop b12 injections .

If negative and b12 leveks in range .

Wrong and made me upset and angry about what was going on.

I wax eliminated as 2 neurologists condoned 2 weekly NHS b12 Injections on clinical findings and response .

All I know is i cannot process it efficiently enough.

For whatever reason.

PA being the most common.

Othef causes give the same outcome and symptoms needing regular b12 injections.

Also an element on once on injections our bodies need them as any natural processing overtaken.

I'm not a scientist but research hopefully will give more answers .

They stopped doing it as they had the treatment.

Only when thd treatment is withheld they shoukd give mord answers we haven't got as it's wrong as they can see it works !

!

[Pickle500]

Pernicious Anemia is an archaic term that used to describe B12 deficiency anemia. At that time, there was no cure and so people died from it. Since we do now have a cure (injections), Pernicious Anemia is used to describe individuals who can no longer absorb B12 and so must be on injections for the rest of their lives. They cannot change diet or use oral, usually.

Today, B12 Deficiency anemia refers to ALL instances of B12 deficiency. And Pernicious Anemia really means autoimmune gastritis.

Very often Pernicious Anemia is referred to as the same thing - B12 deficiency. Even medics do this.

So the whole things needs alot of looking at and rebranding.

[BrianTheElder in reply to Pickle500]

Thank you Pickle500 , you win the prize for best description.

I had the feeling that medics didn't like to use the term Pernicious Anemia.

I presume I have B12 deficiency anaemia caused by some form of autoimmune response, and that is why I am on hydroxocobalamin injections. Whether I ever receive further blood tests for a proper diagnosis is doubtful.

[Pickle500 in reply to BrianTheElder]

Thanks, Im honoured 😀If you're not sure why you have it, you can push for tests. You should certainly stay on injections and get them from the surgery.

I was in a younger category for PA, early middle age, and while it wasn't strictly diet (I ate fish and meat but had reduced my intake as a semi-vegetarian) I believe there became a scarcity of B12 that couldn't support me through a stressful time.

So, if there are no clues or indications and your are in the upper age bracket then it would seem likely to be PA/Autoimmune Gastritis.