Hi! I had some blood tests done last week (a brief history - I haven’t been 100% since I had Covid 14 months ago and been suffering with extreme tiredness and fatigue.. I was found to have iron deficiency anaemia and was successfully treated last year), it has shown I have low B12 (173 - range 197-771) however the Parietal Cell Autoantibody test came back negative. Also, in 2 months my ferritin has dropped from 61 to 32, bottom range is 30 so I’m effectively iron deficient again, although my Haemoglobin is top of the range. My blood cell count is over the top range too, 5.31 (range 3.7 - 4.8). My GP has also tested for Celiacs, although I have no abdominal symptoms, and my TTGIgA test came back clear at 0.4 (range 0.0-6.9). I believe a total IGA test was done too but I don’t have a result back for that.
I guess my question is, what does it mean with low B12 but negative for antibodies? My GP doubts it’s diet related as we went through it and I eat meat, eggs, a variety of fresh fruit and veg etc. She did mention injections for B12 as she suspected it was the cause of my tiredness - would this still be the treatment if my antibodies are negative? I’m due to speak with her again on Thursday to discuss my results… I guess I just want as much information as possible to get my head around all of this, and so I can ask the right questions of my GP when I speak to her and get the most from my appointment with her!
Ah okay, thank you, on my notes it says intrinsic factor requested so maybe there’s still more results to come back then…!
Yes, long Covid could well be the answer, I think my GP is just wanting to make sure we find out definitely what is going on…
Yes, on my lab results ferritin range is 30-148…
Vitamin D was checking 12 months ago and well above range, will maybe ask to recheck that… folate was done in Dec and was mid range, again I might ask for that to be repeated…
I was on a maintenance dose of iron last year after I’d finished treatment for anaemia, however my liver results spiked high and are still high now so I had to stop them, but I’ll ask about restarting or alternatives when I speak to my Gp!
Thank you so much for your help and reply and all the info, it’s much appreciated!
Your ferritin is low. Suggest you discuss with your GP why the drop may have happened. My researches tell me that hypoferritanaemia without anaemia is quite a common condition and not well diagnosed or treated (sound familiar?). Combined with a B12 deficiency it has a drastic effect on energy levels. I've just paid for a ferritin infusion and waiting to see what effect it has.
Thank you! I have an appointment with my GP on Thursday to discuss all of my blood results so I can discuss the ferritin drop… whenever I’ve been iron deficient in the past my haemoglobin has been low too but it hasn’t dropped at all, it’s stayed the same top range, but the ferritin drop would definitely explain how much more tired and exhausted I’ve been feeling the past couple of months!
Good luck with the infusion, I hope it helps. Thank you for replying!
I find it difficult to get my head around low ferritin but normal iron/haemaglobin! Ferritin and iron are symbiotic but not the same. Ferritin is the integrating and regulating protein that binds to iron and makes it absorbable in a non-toxic form. I can't quite get beyond that in my thinking. Except that if you don't have enough ferritin you can't absorb enough iron?? But my hemaglobin is OK. Anyway, a question to be answered in due course. Good luck with your GP.
That’s confusing me too… I mean I am no medical expert at all, but my first thought for ferritin to have dropped so quickly would be due to bleeding… but if that was the case then my haemoglobin would have dropped too surely?! Definitely one for my GP for sure! Thank you, I’m so lucky it’s my named GP dealing with this and she’s super lovely and listens and understands me so I know she’ll do what she can to get to the bottom of it! Thank you!
Your ferritin can drop before any signs in your blood, because your body is releasing its iron stores to keep up. Eventually, there isn’t enough in the storage to maintain, and anemia will set in.
It is possible to have a negative parietal cell antibody test result and positive IFAB test. That was my case but it took two different IFAB tests seven years apart for a positive result. One can still have PA with a negative IFAB test as was my case with the first test.
Best of luck to you and I hope you get some answers. Sometimes, that road can be long and difficult.
also, if your b12 is that low and you eat meat. That's severely low. It takes 4 years to deplete the stores and end up that low.
I was that low and was bed ridden. Forgetful. All sorts of back pain. Poe coordination. The only solution was to inject b12 daily. After 2 years I was out climbing mountains. I'll never be the same but I have come a long way! There is hope!
If left untreated the symptoms can become Permanent.
This best to get started with injections so you can heal.
As long as your liver and kidney function tests came out normal, then you cannot overdose on b12. The only time b12 is toxic is if you have an underlying, unrelated, already existing problem with the kidneys or liver but if those tests were done and they are normal then you are good. B12 won't cause a liver of kidney issue.
The healing process will be slow as in 2 years or more for me.
I highly suggest requesting frequent injections. If they won't give it to you, have them teach you how to self inject so you don't have to keep coming in for the subsequent injections.
Any time I tried to space out the injections my symptoms returned and I would have to start over again
Then don't tell them just keep doing their regiment and buy your own supplies so you can do frequent injections. It's what most of us do because b12 deficiency is so misunderstood.
This article explains all the misconceptions as well as facts.
Thank you so much for your replies and all the info! I’m so sorry you had to go through that for so long. I’ve read about so many who need to self medicate as well, that’s so rough! I have an underlying liver condition that sends my liver function tests high so any medication I have would have to be done under the guidance of my GP and monitored if necessary, but luckily I have a great GP so hopefully I can get this all sorted when I speak to her in a few days time!
Agree 100% with your having to do medication under close watch when there is a preexisting underlying issue with the liver! That is the only time frequent doses of b12 can be harmful.
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