A doctor with b12 interest.

[sezzy]

I think my main problem is low b12 levels and would like to try b12 shots.Does anyone have info of private doctor who knows importance of b12 and likely to prescribe. Ive had endo list thanks.

After 2months on floradix my active b12 was 29(25-165).

Then not knowing gp was doing b12 and after two months of 1000mcg jarrow (taking up to and including the day of blood test)400 so know thats not reliable.

[Hidden]

Sezzy, did you speak to St Thomas' Hospital about your result?

There are many private doctors that will treat B12 deficiency, you could try calling the PAS contact number as they might be able to recommend someone geographically near you. Contact page is here, phone line manned during normal office hours:

pernicious-anaemia-society....

[Hidden]

I've started treating myself (I'm in no way suggesting you do the same), as I felt I wasn't getting enough at my GP. My Mom's a nurse (and also has Pernicious Anemia), so she taught me how to inject. B12 is an over-the-counter drug in Canada (where I'm originally from), so I just stock up when I go visit.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

There are many PAS members who do this, sourcing the B12 from mainland Europe where it is available over the counter in many countries. See the PAS forum if you want to read other people's stories. You need to make your own decisions on this kind of thing.

[sezzy in reply to Hidden]

I was looking into this option.I was thinking of getting diagnosis first from doctor then self injecting if they can prescribe it . Just to be safe im having the right b12 solution.If you get what im trying to say? Cheers

[shaws Administrator in reply to sezzy]

I would get a formal diagnosis first. You may be B12 deficient or you may have Pernicous Anaemia and if so you will need a lifetime of injections. There can be complications if not treated properly.

[sezzy in reply to shaws]

How do they tell between the two?x

[sezzy]

And another quick question... i have no reason other than maybe hypothyroid, to be defiencent im not vegan or do i drink alcohol .

[shaws Administrator in reply to sezzy]

For pernicious anaemia the 'intrinsic factor' is no longer in the stomach which converts food into B12. Some of the links I think are a bit complicated so I have only put a part of the first.:-

Vitamin B12 is present in meat and animal protein foods. Absorption occurs in the terminal ileum and requires intrinsic factor, a secretion of gastric mucosal (parietal) cells, for transport across the intestinal mucosa. In pernicious anaemia, intrinsic factor production is deficient. It is believed to be an autoimmune disease.

patient.co.uk/doctor/Pernic...

This one is B12 deficiency

webmd.com/food-recipes/guid...

[Hidden in reply to shaws]

Unfortunately only half of people with PA test positive for Intrinsic Factor antibodies (I didn't), so its difficult to get a diagnosis these days (without the Schilling Test, which is no longer used). I think your idea of seeing a private doctor to get you started is a good one.

There are many reasons to be B12 deficient. Go into a bookshop, pick up Could It Be B12? and flick to Appendix A. It lists 31 causes of deficiency, 12 drug induced reasons, and 6 conditions with increased demand. The first 3 causes are decreased stomach acid, atrophic gastritis, and autoimmune PA. All 3 are common in hypothyroidism.

I'm going to be honest here and say that if I didn't have a supportive doctor I would be self-injecting. But I did "prove" my deficiency first by having the MMA test. This does not prove I have PA. I think in your case Sezzy you're so close to the bottom of the range on active B12 that another few weeks off all supplements would probably show you as deficient if you repeated the test. But why wait for that? I think a private doctor would start you on treatment, and then you could keep going yourself. Just my opinion.

H x

[Stourie]

There is a Dr Chandy that you could google. It is his speciality.

Jo xx