PA to have treatment?

[Em19911]

do you have to have PA to have b12 injections from the doctor?

My PA test was negative but I’m obv having symptoms and I just wanted to get clarity on this. Thanks.

[wedgewood]

Only about 50 % of Pernicious Anaemia patients test positive for PA.This fact is mentioned in the latest guide lines on B12 deficiency published by N.I.C.E, ( National Institute for health and Card Excellence ) which now refers to P.A. as Autoimmune Gastritis . If you have some of the B12 deficiency symptoms ( no one has all of them ) and you can eliminate the other causes of B12 deficiency ( Ill send you a list ) then you should be treated as a Pernicious Anaemia patient and have treatment which means B12 injections FOR LIFE . Regular enough to keep your symptoms at bay .

I’ll send you the list of B12 deficiency causes .

Best wishes .

[wedgewood]

Causes of Vitamin B12 deficiency .

Pernicious Anaemia ( also know as autoimmune gastritis) is the most common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency . It is an autoimmune condition.Autoimmune conditions seldom come alone . The most common autoimmune “companion”of P.A. is a thyroid condition . Rheumatoid arthritis is common .But there are over 100 autoimmune conditions!

In P.A. the body turns on itself and produces antibodies which destroy the parietal cells in the stomach . These cells produce the Intrinsic Factor and stomach acid , both of which are essential to the process of absorption of vitamin B12 .

Atrophic gastritis , which thins the stomach lining causes Pernicious Anaemia .

Unfortunately the Intrinsic Factor Antibodies do not always show up in the test for P.A. ( Intrinsic Factor Antibodies test). This happens about 50% of the time in P.A. patients — Often takes several tests before they show up .. …. Often doctors do not have this knowledge , and conclude that a negative test means no Pernicious Anaemia . Symptoms must always be treated .

Pernicious Anaemia is incurable and must be treated FOR LIFE with B12 injections.The regularity required to keep symptoms at bay can vary from daily to 3 monthly .. It is not known why there is such variation in need. More research is needed . Tablets are NOT the answer. If deficient for too long ( this is also of variable length ) a symptom can become irreversible . That’s why it’s essential to get prompt treatment.

OTHER CAUSES

Vegan or strict vegetarian diet .B12 is only found in meat, fish, dairy products and eggs.( some food stuffs are supplemented with B12 ) eg marmite . There is no plant source for vitamin B12. Take tablets , unless seriously deficient , when injections are called for till your levels are boosted . Then take tablets daily always .

Certain medications e.g. Metformin .Proton Pump Inhibitors ( P.P.I.s) There are very many others — look them up . If you can’t stop taking these medications, you’ll need injections .

Gastric surgeries Bariatric and others .eg Gastric Bypass, Sleeve Gastrectomy. B12 injections FOR LIFE required .

Also radiation treatment of the stomach , for a cancer , can destroy the parietal cells .— injections FOR LIFE required .

Infestation of fish tape worm ( different to meat tapeworm) caused by eating raw fish or insufficiently smoked fish that is eaten uncooked . Treat with an anti-parasitical medication. Then a few B12 injections till levels are satisfactory .

Helicobacter Pylori, the cause of peptic ulcers , a bacterial infection of the stomach, can cause vitamin B12 deficiency.Treatment with anti-biotics . Injections to quickly restore b12 levels.

Lyme disease caused by a bite from a tick ( Borrelia burgdorfei) can cause vitamin B12 depletion( and also vitamin D and magnesium depletion ) . A very nasty disease . Can cause many problems . Look up how you can identify such a bite when you have been walking in long grass etc . It makes a specially marked bite ( Bulls eye,circular ) Later a rash appears . Not all ticks carry the infection , but always see a doctor if you are worried . Treatment with antibiotics .

Abuse of nitrous oxide ( laughing gas) Midwives should take great care when administering nitrous oxide . Stop using nitrous oxide and have a few injections to boost B12 -

As we age , we produce less stomach acid, which can lead to B12 deficiency.. Take b12 tablets daily.

There is definitely a genetic connection to be considered if you have relatives with Pernicious Anaemia , or you know that they have or had treatment with B12 injections.