Pernicious Anemia

[beelzebubble]

hi all,

so, i wrote this post a while ago

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and seem to be having some good results with some really powerfull b vitamins. i've started to do some research because of this, and one of the things that came up was pernicious anemia. i found this to be especially interesting because i've been having problems with my tongue lately. i kept complaining to my hubby that the sides and tip of my tongue felt irritated and sore. it almost felt like i had sores there. so, i looked at it in the mirror and the sides of my tongue are almost completely bald. there are no tastebuds on it at all. i KNOW i had tastebuds at one point. or, at least, i'm pretty sure. i looked at my hubby's tongue, and my sister's, and there is a definite difference between their tongues and mine. i was shocked later, when i came across a picture of the tongue of someone who has pernicious anemia. there's was much more pronounced, covering their whole tongue, but i definitely noticed a distinct similarity. it's almost as if i'm losing my tastebuds from the outside in.

i'm wondering if my situation resonates with anyone here, and if they had anything similar happen with their tongue? i would especially like to hear from someone who has pernicious anemia. it runs strongly in my family (my maternal grandfather has it, and my sister had it), and i know it's linked to celiac and thyroid disease, both of which i have. i'd really like to get a handle on this before i see the doctor this week. i really hate them and would love to be prepared for whatever they might throw at me (emotionally prepared, i mean).

thanks

[ravenwoodglass]

hi all,

so, i wrote this post a while ago

Open Original Shared Link

and seem to be having some good results with some really powerfull b vitamins.  i've started to do some research because of this, and one of the things that came up was pernicious anemia.  i found this to be especially interesting because i've been having problems with my tongue lately.  i kept complaining to my hubby that the sides and tip of my tongue felt irritated and sore.  it almost felt like i had sores there.  so, i looked at it in the mirror and the sides of my tongue are almost completely bald.  there are no tastebuds on it at all.  i KNOW i had tastebuds at one point.  or, at least, i'm pretty sure.  i looked at my hubby's tongue, and my sister's, and there is a definite difference between their tongues and mine.  i was shocked later, when i came across a picture of the tongue of someone who has pernicious anemia.  there's was much more pronounced, covering their whole tongue, but i definitely noticed a distinct similarity.  it's almost as if i'm losing my tastebuds from the outside in.

i'm wondering if my situation resonates with anyone here, and if they had anything similar happen with their tongue?  i would especially like to hear from someone who has pernicious anemia.  it runs strongly in my family (my maternal grandfather has it, and my sister had it), and i know it's linked to celiac and thyroid disease, both of which i have.  i'd really like to get a handle on this before i see the doctor this week.  i really hate them and would love to be prepared for whatever they might throw at me (emotionally prepared, i mean).

thanks

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My Mom was misdiagnosed with pernicious anemia many years ago when she actually had the same thing I did - severe deficencies because of the malabsorbtion from celiac. What you are referring to with your tongue is most likely 'geographic tongue' and while startling is likely due to vitamin deficiencies. You may want to get some sublingual B12 tablets. These should help your symptoms and they are absorbed under the tongue which is a big benefit. True pernicious anemia is caused by the lack of something called intrinsic factor which is released by the body and is needed to utilize the B12. The treatment for this would be the same as for the malapsorption induced low B12 levels so either way the sublingual B12 will help, just check to be sure it is gluten free. As with anything if the problem is troublesome please make sure to have your doctor take a look but get some B12 while you wait for your appointment.