Getting there, but slowly

[Onefish]

More blood tests back now but still don't have all the figures.

Serum immunoglobulins all normal

Coeliac screen - negative

Ferritin 197 (range 13-150)

Transferrin saturation 38% (15-45) He's not happy about this even though it's "normal"

Homocysteine - normal

IFA - still negative

Gastric parietal antibodies - yeah, them. Positive.

All other inflammatory, antibody markers - normal.

Active B12 -normal

Serum B12 - 198

So because of the ferritin, he ran a liver ultrasound and while I was there the guy also scanned kidney, spleen, gallbladder cos why not - he said it was all fine.

He's also just run a more fancy liver blood screen, repeated the iron panel (iron was fine, btw) and is checking the haemochromotis marker. Last time I had a liver function test it was all fine and with that and the ultrasound coming back ok I'm hoping the latest liver panel is fine. But I always worry about it as I knocked it back a bit for quite a few years when I was younger and beyond.

Anyway he's recommended my GP does injections spaced every 3 months which, hmm, doesn't sound like enough but I'll be speaking to him again once the last set of results come in. My initial, tentative, enquiry about having B12 jabs fell on deaf ears the last time I spoke to the GP so having a consultant make the request is going to be a massive help. My B12 was about 230 then, so it's dropped since.

3 months, tho, meep. Is that going to be enough?

Also would all these normal immune results indicate that I am unlikely to have autoimmune gastritis, which is what I'm really worried about? Those parietal antibodies are giving me the heebie geebies. I get heartburn, not to excess but then again, I always have a packet of antacids by the bed just in case whereas I have never seen my partner take one ever. I might need to pop one about 3-4 times a month, but sometimes not at all for weeks on end. Doesn't mean I don't have the odd mild bout though. I wonder if I should mention this to him but it doesn't seem major to me, then again...

ALSO (she never stops asking questions this one) between December 2021 and August 2022 I had two medical procedures which involved general anaesthetic/gas. I was only out for a very short period of time, it wasn't major surgery and I was home the same day, but I wonder if it was still enough to cause a problem as I know that gas can disrupt your B12 absorption. I assumed you'd need to be under for hours having major surgery.

[Rexz]

Hi, I'd suggest asking for a serum Gastrin test. Although PCaB positive is not diagnostic for AMAG by itself if you have both positive PCaB plus high levels of Gastrin in your blood then that is considered diagnostic for AMAG. The reason is that as Parietal Cells are destroyed you will have less gastric acid produced and thus a less acidic stomach. If stomach never reaches a highly acidic state of a PH of 2 or 3 then the G-cells that produces Gastrin in the stomach will never turn off.

Rexz

[Onefish in reply to Rexz]

Ok, thanks, I'll mention that when I get my latest results back although to be honest, I wish I hadn't looked that up. I'm scared to death now.

[Rexz in reply to Onefish]

Hi Onefish, yes it can be scary at first. For me, I might best describe it as being hit across the forehead with a 2x4! Like what the heck just hit me. But after the initial headache the pain will subside and with some changes most all is treatable. So try not to be scared but rather informed. My very strong opinion is that it's very important to get a proper diagnosed and the earlier the better so you will be able to treat things appropriately.

You could not be with a better group of folks on this forum as this is a very knowledgeable group. Recently one of our forum members described the folks on here as "annoyingly polite" I do think that sums it up. So as you have any questions post them or message the members on here...there's a wealth of experience that you may not find anywhere else.

Best wishes, Rexz

[Onefish in reply to Rexz]

Ha! It has hit me like that somewhat. My symptoms are not as bad as many on here, but it's kind of cascaded in the past month or so. This time last year I was ambling along with no idea of what was about to happen. I'm hopeful, from what I've read on here, that now the consultant has told my GP to initiate shots, that things will improve.

What I was getting scared about was the gastrin issue. I looked up what high gastrin means and it could be very, very nasty. Like, stomach carcinoma and all that kind of thing. i always think the worst, obviously, but it's really unnerved me.

It is so true what you say about this forum. It's one of the most helpful, supportive spaces I've come across. Thank you, and everyone else, for making it so.

[Rexz in reply to Onefish]

Yes, there is a higher risk of gastric cancer about 3 to 7 fold increase for those with PA. Two types one can be caused by the destruction of the parietal cells and then being replaced by cells called Gastric Intestinal Metaplasia (GIM) a precancerous lesion. This usually occurs in the very top of the stomach called the Fundus and the upper 1/3 of the gastric body. The other type much less risk are neuroendocrine tumors, as you've read, caused by high levels of Gastrin. You can read my story at

rexwiig.substack.com

You may find a little of your story in there somewhere.

If you subscribe please select the free button and select "maybe later" for all the other stuff.

You can read from the beginning as they are subtitled beginning with Installment 01

Best wishes, Rexz