Needing some urgent advice before GP appointment please

[Nic878]

We have managed to get an appointment with a different GP at tea time today, going to try and get them to follow nice guidelines as it's been a week since finishing loading doses. My partner apparently doesn't have antibodies so apparently doesn't have pernicious anemia is this correct? I just want to go in with all the correct information

[Wheat]

Hello, hope all goes well for today. Maybe following link is too late.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

[Nic878 in reply to Wheat]

Thank you ill refer to this in my complaint letter

[palmier]

It's not so easy to rule out PA based on a negative IF antibody test. The test often gives a false negative for people who have it. The test only identifies about half of those with PA.

[Nic878 in reply to palmier]

I'm going to say that when I complain the GP was awful to be honest she says the b12 deficiency is a red herring

[Hockey_player]

The false negative result for that test is VERY high.

[Nic878 in reply to Hockey_player]

Thank you GP didn't seem clued up

[Cherylclaire Forum Support in reply to Nic878]

Have a look at medical guidelines as GPs are more likely to take notice of these :

NICE guidelines: National Institute for health and Care Excellence: cks.nice.org.uk/ anaemia-b12-and-folate-deficiency. The new NICE guidelines due out in early 2024 are available in draft form and a consultation on draft scope with stakeholders comments is also available. Beware - both of these are over 40 pages long !

BCSH Guidelines: British Committee for Standards in Haematology : onlinelibrary.wiley.com "Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of cobalamin and folate disorders"

BNF: British National Formulary - the doctor's Bible - BCSH quote from them in their own guidelines regarding treatment of cobalamin deficiency

Stichting B12 Tekort : "Misconceptions about a B12 deficiency ":these are from the Netherlands (translated), but might be useful particularly if your GP is mistakenly focussing on concerns re "overdosing".

Don't give up. Martyn Hooper founder of the Pernicious Anaemia Society had three IFab tests before getting a positive result. 40 -60% of those with PA will get a negative result.

I know I'm too late for your appointment - but might help with any letter.