Do I Really Have Pernicious Anemia?

[chatycady]

I was diagnosed with pernicious anemia some years ago. I am now pretty well all better, but I still take the B-12 shots. Do I really have pernicious anemia? Or was I anemic because of gluten? Anyone have any ideas on this? I don't wnat to get sick again, so I keep taking the shots.

My Dr. said I should quit the shots and see what happens. Is there a test I could take?

[MaryJones2]

How were you diagnosed? There are tests that can tell you if you have pernicious anemia vs. run of the mill B12 deficiency.

[chatycady]

Schillings test. But I guess I thought it wouldn't work again since I am not deficienct any longer. I also thought it wasn't used much anymore. Not accurate?

[JennyC]

Schillings test. But I guess I thought it wouldn't work again since I am not deficienct any longer. I also thought it wasn't used much anymore. Not accurate?

I'm in a clinical laboratory science program right now, and they are teaching us that the Schillings test is used to diagnose B12 deficiency and pernicious anemia, so I think it's still pretty standard. I don't think it would hurt to go off your B12, just make sure that they are monitoring you for anemia.

[MaryJones2]

If it is truly pernicious anemia (and it sounds like it is) and you stop the injections you'll become anemic again as your body lacks intrinsic factor which is required to properly absorb b12 through normal digestion. Some people with pernicious anemia have impared ability to absorb but most have no ability to absorb it in the digestive tract. That's why it's necessary to bypass the digestive system with shots in pernicious anemia patients. There is really no harm in continuing the shots. I have weekly shots for years and can absolutely feel it when I miss a few.

[chatycady]

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll stick with the shots. Maybe when I'm 100% better I"ll go off the shots and see what happens. I had a lot more symptoms than just anemia before they found the anemia. So to play it safe I'll continue.

Every month when I take the shot, I wonder - Do I need it?

[MaryJones2]

I know what you mean. I too have a lot of issues and I always question the medications or supplements that I take. Oddly, I don't with the b12 shots. I think it's because it's so easy just to take a shot every now and again and not have to worry about it!

[NicoleAJ]

My GI told me that he could test for intrinsic factor whether I was deficient or not, so he just did a simple blood test. I still take my shots now that I'm no longer deficient, but I definitely stretch them out a lot longer than I used to. Now that my B12 levels are so high from years of shots twice a month, I don't really need to worry about a sudden dip. B12 can stay in your system for a very long time, so by the time you get deficient, it means you've been deficient for a very long time. When I need a shot, I can definitely feel it throughout my body.

[chatycady]

My GI told me that he could test for intrinsic factor whether I was deficient or not, so he just did a simple blood test. I still take my shots now that I'm no longer deficient, but I definitely stretch them out a lot longer than I used to. Now that my B12 levels are so high from years of shots twice a month, I don't really need to worry about a sudden dip. B12 can stay in your system for a very long time, so by the time you get deficient, it means you've been deficient for a very long time. When I need a shot, I can definitely feel it throughout my body.

Do you have an digestive issues when you are low on B-12? I used to get indigestion and have "butterflies" in my stomach. I have delayed shots and get these symptoms. Just wondering.

Thanks