JFK - Kennedy and B12

[helvella]

Given the current coverage of the anniversary of the death of President Kennedy, it seems not unreasonable to post about his health issues - specifically the possibility of Pernicious Anaemia. This is a paragraph from near the end of the article.

Not intended as anything other than an interesting footnote to history.

Although the White House medical records contain no mention of peripheral neuropathy, they indicate that Kennedy had received regular vitamin injections, including vitamin B12, throughout his presidency (24). It is unlikely that Kennedy was thiamine deficient, and anemia is not associated with thiamine deficiency. Travell's description is more consistent with vitamin B12 deficiency. The coexistence of pernicious anemia is consistent with a diagnosis of APS 2: Pernicious anemia is found in 2% to 25% of patients with APS 2 (27).

acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326...

[ACritical]

How interesting . Thanks for posting.👌🏻♥️

[hendry in reply to ACritical]

Interesting. I believe he suffered from Adfisons Disease which is autoimmune I think. Am I correct in saying pernicious anaemia was also known as Addison "s Pernicious Anaemia?

[helvella in reply to hendry]

A typical description:

Addison's disease arises from problems with the adrenal gland such that not enough of the steroid hormone cortisol and possibly aldosterone are produced. It is an autoimmune disease which affects some genetically predisposed people in whom the body's own immune system has started to target the adrenal gland. While it can follow tuberculosis, in many adult cases it is unclear what has triggered onset of the disease. Causes can include certain medications, sepsis, and bleeding into both adrenal glands.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addis...

Which starts saying it is an autoimmune disease. Then points out it can be due to tuberculosis (infecting and destroying the adrenal glands). Which is obviously contradictory. Though some other diseases might precipitate the autoimmune issues rather than directly destroy the adrenal glands.

A more comprehensive article.

aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/20...

[LadyBothwell in reply to helvella]

It was the same Addison who got the conditions Addison’s disease (adrenal) and Addison-Biermers disease (also called pernicious anaemia) named after him. Biermer really discovered it but kindly added Thomas Addisons name because of his earlier research. I sometimes wonder if it would be taken more seriously if we called it Biermers here in the U.K.

[helvella in reply to LadyBothwell]

Thanks - by the time I prepared a reply, I missed that bit of the question!

[Litatamon in reply to helvella]

Thanks for that post above helvella. I am still the major researcher of my health, since some doctors are hardly teammates with their knowledge and power.

Although my PA & thyroid are both in or getting in order I am still suffering with my legs and gait. From a person who used to bounce up and down subway steps, I have now given into a cane.

Anyway, I keep thinking 'adrenal' might be the piece since once in a while I have to take predisone & while my legs do not reappear they are much improved during theze moments.

And there you post that sepsis can cause adrenal insufficiency. I had no idea. I sighed as I have had sepsis twice and my b12 deficiency, thyroidectomy & leg/gait/strength issues without atrophy all came after my second hospital stay. I keep saying it over and over.

You have given me more energy for upcoming appointments. Thank you.

(I do not think I have Addison's as I have not lost weight & that is a strong symptom. )

[LadyBothwell]

theguardian.com/politics/20...

Margaret Thatcher too liked a b12 shot but unlikely for medical need and she probably didn’t need to fight like the rest of us to get them regularly! Although if she was drinking excessively probably b12 was depleted!

[MoKayD]

Thank you for sharing. I have read that it is suspected that president Lincoln's wife, Mary, had pernicious anemia. See below:

Mary Todd Lincoln's long list of physical symptoms, including weakness, fatigue, fevers, headaches, gait problems, rapid heartbeat, mouth soreness, swelling and vision trouble. In addition, the pernicious anemia could explain her irritability, and the delusions and hallucinations she increasingly suffered in later life.

[helvella in reply to MoKayD]

Former occupants of the White House have had an impressive collection of disorders.

[MoKayD in reply to helvella]

Especially the one before Biden.

[helvella]

Also posted (with slightly different slant) on Thyroid UK forum:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[am111]

He also had back pain, which is a symptom of B12 deficiency...