Heart, B12, Deficiency, Pernicious Anemia, EGD Test, Tissue Samples, family risk

[HoneyBeeGal]

In the past I had an EGD, but NO tissue samples were taken. I have had B12 deficiency and prescription B12 shots for about 20 years. (I was falling, once flew into a summersault in the middle of a paved road, ankles were giving out, I was bumping into walls and super fatigued, etc.) When I was diagnosed with low B12, I had a score of around 220 (reference range 200-1000) and high homocysteine. My homocysteine normalized after the shots. No doctor wanted to confirm wether it was just a deficiency versus pernicious anemia. My paternal great-grandma had gastritis and my paternal grandfather had monthly B12 shots. In the past I used BC pills, Proton Pump Inhibitors and antacids, so doctors think that those meds could have caused malabsorption. I also was iron anemic for around 5 years, cause unknown, and I eat meat often and tested negative for celiac. I still always have very low Ferratin. At times I have had high RBC distribution width, but not currently. I run deficient to low D vitamin despite vitamin D supplements with K2. One past doctor wrote B12 deficiency with Proteinuria, but over time that label was dropped. If I lengthen time between shots, my B12 levels drop quickly on blood tests in spite of consumption of B12 rich foods and B12 fortified foods.

I am due for an EGD and colonoscopy and wanted to know if there are specific tissue samples I can request they take and which specific sites they should take them from to see if they can diagnose the cause of B12 deficiency or anything else going on at a cellular level. In the U.S., the test is usually allowed only every 5 years. I also want to know if the doctor prescribing the test has to order specific tissue biopsies or if it is left up to the discretion of the doctor performing the procedure.

I have been given B12 vials for 1 to 4 shots per month, currently at two shots per month. But I notice that 7-10 days after a shot I have increased foot pain and tachycardia. I have plantar fasciitis / osteoarthritis, but doctors also say I have neuropathy. I also have other diagnosed health issues, including hypothyroid, fibromyalgia, etc. I have read that many people with hypothyroidism and Fibro have low B12, vitamin D, and low Ferratin. I also saw that an EGD can involve the heart. I was curious if any of you have been told anything additional about your heart via EGD.

My doctor referred me to a hematologist, but she said if my B12 tests were fine, she would not see me.

(Also, An older first degree relative recently fell over to his side in front of me and had obvious balance issues just this summer. His doctor has him only on oral over the counter B12 pills, and he claims he is much better but I tried to talk him into the shots as I was worried about him having permanent nerve/neurological damage.)