Possible pernicious anemia?

[flyingmedgrrl]

I am a 32 yr-old female, who was in excellent health until the last couple of years. I don't think I need to go into the full history here, because I just have a simple question moving forward into this next round of diagnostics. I started feeling generally "ill" a year and a half ago. Since then, I have been trying to find a cause for it, sensing that there is a systemic issue going on. I have Hashimoto's thyroiditis (currently dosed at 125mcg but TSH is still up above 8.5, the highest its ever been - we're still working on getting my dosage right after 3 years), cervical radiculopathy from old car accidents, and a repaired right rotator cuff injury (Dec 2005). In April 2009, I started having a prickling sensation in my left index finger. It slowly spread to my first three fingers and into my arm. Sometimes it shifts to the last two fingers, and gets worse after taking a hot shower. I also have been having strange sensations in the top of my left foot and ankle, on and off for over a year. Three weeks ago, I began having occasional sparkler sensations on my cervical spine as well.

I found out yesterday afternoon from the neurologist that my B12 is low. She's referring me back to my PCP to determine the cause of my deficiency, as well as continuing with our original plan to run MRIs and conduction studies. She said it was around 250, but I haven't seen the actual results. I went out last night and bought a high dosage (5000mcg) sublingual B12 supplement to begin replacement asap (I do not want any permanant nerve damage), in the hopes that some will be absorbed and may begin to lessen my symptoms. I will be seeing my PCP tomorrow afternoon.

My question is this: Will taking the oral supplement interfere with any of the future testing that needs to happen to determine the cause of the B12 deficiency? Will taking it even help?

Well, it didn't end up being the briefest history. I hope you can share some insight. Thanks!

[Garth L Nicolson, PhD]

Low vitamin B12 (and/or other B vitamins) is often found in chronic illnesses, especially those involving chronic infections.  These vitamins support the immune system, so they are especially important in any cases that might have chronic infections as a major factor.  Supplementing with B complex or B12 should not affect routine testing, but I am not sure what tests you are referring to in your questions.

[twicemom]

My B12 was about 250 as well.  I began injections twice a week & think they definitely help.  As to the other symptoms I can relate to the systemic numbness, tingling and prickling sensation.  I too was in excellent health.  My symptoms came on fast not gradually. I saw 10 doctors.  Please read up Lyme Disease.  You will be told it's not Lyme by your PCP, nuero, etc....however, if you are suspicious please don't waste more time, please find a specialist who uses IGENEX testing and meet with them.  Finally I was diagnosed w/ Lyme & have begun treatment.  Thank goodness for doctor #11:)
Marion (Southern California)

[luluandruru]

A related discussion, please help~ pernicious anemia (autoimmune) was started.

[Garth L Nicolson, PhD]

At least 30-40% of Lyme patients have no recollection of an insect or tick bite.  Often these are subtle and easily missed.  Lyme Disease is a complicated infectious process involving several co-infections, not just Borrelia burgdorferi.  Common co-infections are Mycoplasma, Bartonella, Babesia, Ehrlichia, etc.  Each of these infections has their own overlapping signs/symptoms, and treatment can vary depending on the number and type of co-infections.

[twicemom]

I was approached by my chiropractor several months into symptoms who suspected Lyme.  After reading thru the pamphlet & watching the "Under Our Skin" movie I was absolutely without a doubt convinced! I seeked out a doctor in San Diego who specializes in Lyme tretament and ran my blood work thru IGENEX.  It came back positive & I have started treatment.  I have no history of a tick bite.

[Garth L Nicolson, PhD]

The best way to confirm pernicious anemia is to increase  B12 and see if the production of red blood cells eventually increases and goes back to normal levels.  I don't feel that additional testing is absolutely necessary.  This could be your problem, but it could also be part of a more complex process.  You could find that increasing your RBCs does not eliminate all of your symptoms.

[flyingmedgrrl]

I was bitten by a tick for about 7 hours one day while out hiking about 14 years ago. When I accidently scratched the tick off before realizing it was a tick, the head stayed embedded in my skin. My body pushed it out in a scab a couple of weeks later. I often wonder if it infected me. I paid close attention for months after the bite, but didn't have even a sniffle of a cold symptom. I have read up on Lyme a few times over the years, whenever my back/neck issues start acting up, but usually conclude in the end that it couldn't possibly be. What made you so sure? I'm also in SoCal. Who is Doc 11?

[flyingmedgrrl]

Oops, sorry about the lack of clarity... I was referring to any further testing that may need to be done to determine if I have pernicious anemia (in the title of my question).

[flyingmedgrrl]

Oops, sorry about the lack of clarity... I was referring to any further testing that may need to be done to determine if I have pernicious anemia (in the title of my question).