Where do I get tested for Permicious Anaemia? - Thyroid UK

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Where do I get tested for Permicious Anaemia?

17 Replies

Hi all. Sorry you may be thinking I'm posting this on the wrong community but reason I am posting here is because it is about vitamin b12 and I know that is a huge topic when it comes to thyroid. I posted my results before on here, my thyroid and antibodies came out fine but by vitamin d and active V itamin b12 was very low. B12 was 27 and vit 2 was 20. I spoken to my GP about this while she was referring me to a gastroenterologist and she said to just use vitamin b12 and vitamin d spray so my body absorbs it, I mentioned about PA & she said what has that got to do with my symptoms.. I said OK never mind. She made me feel as if I've taken up enough of nhs resorces by having blood tests and getting referred! Do medichecks do this PA check? I can't find it on their website anywhere. Thanks. Q

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17 Replies
SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

AnxietySufferer92

With such a low Active B12 your GP should test for PA.

Viapath do it but I don't see why you should pay considering your result - details of Viapath I gave in reply to a previous post.

Also, Vit D deficiency should be treated initially with loading doses prescribed by your GP, again I gave all details of the NICE guidelines in reply to your previous post

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Your GP is being negligent, you shouldn't have to self treat with these levels, see a different GP if you can.

in reply to SeasideSusie

I am feeling quite poorly to be honest. Would they only test for the whole b12? Is that more important than active b12? Sorry I'm not sure how any of it works as I just didn't expect to be deficient in any vitamins, I honestly put it down to my thyroid which clearly wasn't the case. Oh yes I will look at my prev post now regarding viapath. Thank you for the info it was extremely helpful x

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to

Total B12 measures the amount of B12 that is bound and unbound/active/free. Active B12 measures the amount of active/free B12 that is available to the cells. The Active B12 is the better test.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Can you See a different GP at the practice

NHS guidelines are clear that you should have been prescribed high dose vitamin D by GP

GP should definitely test for Pernicious Anaemia before starting on B12 injections

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Presumably you have had results of coeliac blood test

Was it positive for coeliac?

If yes, you need endoscopy before going on strictly gluten free

If it was negative you can immediately trial strictly gluten free diet

in reply to SlowDragon

Hi. It was negative, hence why I am being referred to gastroenterology at hospital for an endoscopy and colonoscopy. Should I cut out gluten, still?

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to

Not until AFTER endoscopy

Keep eating high levels gluten

When is endoscopy?

Should be within 6 weeks

in reply to SlowDragon

No idea yet. It has been a week since my gp referred me. I don't think she classified it as urgent.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to

Private endoscopy is approx £1500

in reply to SlowDragon

Unfortunately I don't have that sort of money :( I have just bought a house so I virtually have nothing now. I would absolutely do private investigations if I had it. I am grateful for the NHS but they're taking too long.

waveylines profile image
waveylines

Just to add that I would definately see a different GP in practise as soon as you can as the ond you saw clearly hasnt a clue!

Your GP should recheck B12 ( they generally want a nhs b12 test) intrinsic factor, thyroid levels and general blood test. Your doctor should check you for coeliacs as well......this doesnt mean to say you have coliacs but simply she / he are checking. Your vitamin D level means your GP should put you on a course of vitamin D and then recheck your level in three months.

Have a look at the b12d.org site.......set up originally bt Dr Chandry, a GP, now retired, who did a lot of work on b12......wrote a great book too.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK

There is no single test for Pernicious Anaemia. What do exist are several tests which, taken together, indicate PA.

You might see some references to the Schilling Test but that is no longer available for several reasons.

This site and specific page have a lot of well-researched information about B12:

B12 Deficiency

B12 Testing

b12deficiency.info/b12-test...

Hedgeree profile image
Hedgeree

Hi AnxietySufferer92,

If you're able to try and see a different gp from your surgery, one that would be possibly more helpful.

Though from my own experiences and also others on the forum not many gp's are particularly useful when it comes to vitamin B12 deficiency or thyroid issues.

Try not to take on board the doctor's negative attitude! You're not feeling well and unfortunately she's not doing her job properly! I know how difficult it is to deal with someone like that when all you want is to be listened to and get the necessary blood tests. It's also even more difficult if you have anxiety problems. (I know from my own problems how difficult it can be)

If you haven't already, post on the Pernicious Anaemia part of Healthunlocked and the people on there will also help you.

Take care.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to Hedgeree

The Pernicious Anaemia Society forum is here:

healthunlocked.com/pasoc

CalvinNg profile image
CalvinNg

Did they check your red blood cell count? I was diagnosed with pernicious anemia a year ago. I have to inject vit b12 every 3 months, my doctor said it can't be taken orally

in reply to CalvinNg

Yes they did, it was all normal. So I have no idea what is going on.

CalvinNg profile image
CalvinNg in reply to

Hello, i will just explain my conditions so maybe it will help

Before being diagnosed, i will always feel tired even though i have enough sleep, no appetite and losing weight and short of breath when i was only walking a small distance.

Then i decided to do a full body diagnosis and the doctor called me and said my haemoglobin has dropped to drastically to 7.3 as the normal range should be between 13.0 to 18.0

So i was told to be admitted at the nearest hospital. I was told there were few reason for this condition as i was deemed that somewhere in my body i were internally bleeding, the worst outcome would be leukaemia.

They did a few test, mainly gastroenterology (endoscopy and colonoscopy) and MRI scan on the abdomen and pelvis. I was also given vit b12 orally and through injection and a blood drip as my haemoglobin is still dropping.

As they found no internal bleeding in my body and my condition gets better with the vit b12, i was diagnosed with Pernicious Anemia. Every 3 months i will take vit b12 through injection only.

I hope with this sharing you have some insight if you have any similiar condition as i have ~

haematology report

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