Pernicious anemia

[Sunnydevon]

Is there a test you can get privately to test for pernicious anemia? I read letter from my endo to my doc and he said because my B12 levels were low I probably have second auto immune condition. I’m assuming it’s Pernicious anemia. Now worried 😟

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Surely your doctor should be testing for this.

I would be listing any signs/symptoms of B12 deficiency - see here b12deficiency.info/signs-an... - and take them to your doctor, say in the light of the endo's letter will they test for PA.

Medichecks do a Methylmalonic Acid Urine test which can show B12 deficiency but it's not a cheap test. I would speak with your doctor first.

[Sunnydevon in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you seasideSusie for your quick reply. I went to doc this morning and she didn’t seem too worried about it. There was some confusion as to whether I was seeing endo again. Maybe she thought he would do it. I’ll phone her secretary. Kind regards

[Marz in reply to Sunnydevon]

Testing for PA can produce false negatives - Anti-bodies for Intrinsic Factor and Parietal Cells should be tested. Some people have them tested several times before obtaining a result.

There are other causes of B12 deficiency - surgery around the Terminal Ileum ( happened to me ! ) - absorption issues due to Low acid - which is common with Thyroid problems ... gut disorders ...

MMA and Homocysteine are tests done that if they come back high indicates that B12 is low in the cells - where it is needed. The Serum blood test for B12 contains two types of B12 - bound and unbound and only around 20% of the result is available for the onward journey to the cells

[Sunnydevon in reply to Marz]

Thank you Marz! It seems v complicated!

[Marz in reply to Sunnydevon]

I would buy the book - Could it Be B12 ? - by Sally Pacholok. Also - Pernicious Anaemia and B12 Deficiency - by Martyn Hooper. You can then keep referring to chapters and eventually it sinks in 😊 Important to learn as much as possible as it seems Docs know so very little about it all.

[Sunnydevon in reply to Marz]

Thank you Marz!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Full private testing available by post

nutris.viapath.co.uk/pages/...

[Sunnydevon in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you SlowDragon 😊