Potential Pernicious Anaemia?

[Earslaps]

I'm wondering if I need to see a GP about this or if I'm being a total hypochondriac!

I have had a few problems with cracks at the side of my mouth- very sore and painful. Plus at the same time my tongue will swell up a bit so I get that weird 'pie crust' look where it pushes against my teeth, it doesn't hurt but I'm very aware of it if that makes sense.

I tried treating the sore mouth with lip balms, then tried some canestan HC and after that didn't work I tried vitamin supplements as I read it could be low iron or B vitamin levels.

After taking the vitamin supplements it cleared up and went away, then of course after a few months I stopped taking them as all was well and I eat a generally good diet, including plenty of meat and dairy. So after a while of no supplements it all comes back again and so on. I have no problem with potentially supplementing forever, but surely with a decent diet I shouldn't be getting these symptoms?

It wasn't until my sister mentioned about my nanny having Pernicious anaemia that I started to wonder if that could be why I keep getting these symptoms? I have another autoimmune condition (lichen sclerosis), and they often co-exist.

I was thinking I should go to the doctor, but not sure if I can face it if I get one of those looks they give you when you mention google! Would they be likely to completely dismiss my symptoms or would they refer me for tests? I did have blood tests after my first born that showed low iron and thyroid function as normal, but not sure if they tested B12.

We do have access to an online GP via DH's work that could then refer on to private. Would that be a better route to take?

Yes I’d go in. No need to mention google. Explain your symptoms, your AUtoimmune disease and your family history.

I am having difficult absorbing b12 and have RA so could be that. Supplements don’t seem to work so I had injections to get my level up. It’s now falling again and I’m trying daily patches

If you had PA you wouldn't be able to absorb B12 through your gut, so the supplements wouldn't have helped (if they were standard oral supplements).

Having said that, the symptoms you describe could be from low B12 or possibly iron deficiency anaemia. I second going to see your doctor, describing your symptoms (and mentioning your autoimmune condition) and asking for blood tests including B12 and folate, which isn't part of the standard FBC.

I'm just not sure how to mention the idea of mouth cracks/vitamin B without using the G word .

To be fair I google for most minor complaints (which this was) as I wouldn't tend to bother a doctor for a cracked mouth. I was a little sceptical that the vitamins would work as I eat well, but I just guessed they wouldn't do any harm. It's only because the cracked mouth keeps coming back that it's raised a question in my mind.

I don't think I have other major symptoms- I have been depressed recently but I put that down to life being a bit stressful of late (child with ADHD!) and I have had depression before. I don't have any more aches and pains than normal, just pretty exhausted. Have had pins and needles in my feet a lot but I thought it was related to my emerging bunions.

The cracked corners of the mouth is called Angular Cheilitis - it can be a sign of B12 or iron deficiency, but can also be caused by mild fungal or viral infections. Google it :)

Exhaustion and pins and needles can definitely be signs of deficiency too.

@BlackInk- that's why I tried the Canestan HC. I was told by a pharmacist friend that that's a good first attempt for treating any mysterious skin infection . It did nothing at all, just like the years and £££ I spent treating my 'recurrent thrush' (that was actually Lichen Sclerosis) with Canestan.

Sorry, I missed that. Definitely time to see if GP will check your bloods then - ferritin, B12, folate, FBC. If any of these come back abnormal or bottom of range they should then do more tests to look for PA among other things.

They usually test Intrinsic Factor for PA but only 40-60% of PA cases are picked up by this test. Active B12, MMA and parietal cell antibodies are more helpful but they might be reluctant to run these. I'm currently in the system for low B12 but negative IF.