Hashimoto's & Pernicious Anemia
LisaWill86
Posts: 20 Member
I know that it's not uncommon for individuals with Hashimoto's to be B12 deficient, but I'm wondering if anybody out there in MFPland also has pernicious anemia? If so, what was your progression to diagnosis, and/or what tests were performed to confirm the diagnosis?
Thanks!
Thanks!
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I have Hashimoto's & I am B12 deficient, although I wasn't actually diagnosed with Pernicious Anemia. My physician took a blood sample and saw my B12 was really low. We tried B12 tablets at first, but my levels didn't increase so now I get a shot of B12 about once a month. Pernicious Anemia is the absence of Intrinsic Factor, which is what allows your stomach to absorb B12. Along with testing your B12 levels there is an antibody test that detects the levels of Intrinsic Factor antibodies 1 (blocks) and 2 (binding). This blood test is key in diagnosis of the anemia. I never asked if I received this test, although I suspect I have Pernicious Anemia considering the tablets (that would be absorbed through the stomach) were not effective. I also have these drops of B12 from GNC that I drip into my cheeks and let my cheeks absorb it to give me an additional boost.0
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I'm going to ask for that test the next time I see my PCP I think. I give myself a B12 shot once a week; take a prescribed medication that has B12, Iron, and Folic Acid; daily drink a protein shake containing 330mcg (5500% DV) of B12; and take a daily supplement that includes 75 mcg (1250% DV) of B12. On my last blood test, my B12 level was 280 with a reference range of 350-1500. While I am a pescatarian, I go out of my way to make sure I have B12-rich foods in at least two of three meals a day, namely seafood, tofu, cheese, and/or eggs. I just feel like all of this B12 has to be going *somewhere!*
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Yes that is a hell of a lot of B12 for such a low result. My guess would be you are not absorbing the B12 through your stomach & the B12 you do have is from the shot, which is absorbed subcutaneously (I believe is the right word). I am going to assume the shot I get once a month is a way higher dose because it does do the job for most of the month and my levels went from 117 to about 550-600 with the shot & drops.
Pernicious Anemia or not, your physician will most likely recommend the shot of B12. That is the normal treatment, along with the drops. It also isn't a bad idea to continue with B12 rich foods since your stomach will absorb SOME of the B12. There is also a nose spray, but my physician said it was really expensive & not any more effective than the shot.
Also, you do know that iron can interfere with your thyroid medication? I was told I could take them about 4 hours apart.0 -
Honestly, I would suggest going gluten free and dairy free for a few months and see how you feel. I have Hashi's and my sister has pernicuous anemia and going GF DF has helped us both so much.0
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Honestly, I would suggest going gluten free and dairy free for a few months and see how you feel. I have Hashi's and my sister has pernicuous anemia and going GF DF has helped us both so much.
Many people have suggested this to me. I have attempted many times, but I have never been able to stick with it. Did you quit both completely at the same time?0 -
I quit gluten the day I got diagnosed and cut dairy out 90% of the time. When I do have dairy, it's only cheese and I only eat vegetarian, organic cheese. A lot of my symptoms got better, but no change in any of my lab results.
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Also, you do know that iron can interfere with your thyroid medication? I was told I could take them about 4 hours apart.
Yeah, and you have to do the same for calcium and antacids.
What dosage are the shots that you get once a month? My once a week shots are 1000mcg cyanocobalamin.0 -
I am actually not sure … I never asked! I am going next week so I will have to ask him. I am also going to ask him about Armour & eliminating Gluten & Dairy. I have a lot of digestive problems and I wonder if that will help.0
