How to test for PA

[Oopswhathaveidone]

Hello all

Can I ask what blood test they can do to test for pernicious anemia?

I have had blood tests testing my b12 level but they won’t do anything as it looks great 🙄 my ferritin level is ‘within normal limits’ even though I was on high folic acid 7 months ago to raise it.
I saw online about testing and read this:

Your homocysteine and methylmalonic acid (MMA) levels. High levels of these substances in your body are a sign of pernicious anemia.
I can’t find anything on my blood results about these and wondering if I should push for a test for these.

My blood results are as follows:

TSH level - 1.08 normal range 0.49 - 5.23

B12 - 580 normal range 211 - 911

Folate - 9.8 normal range > 5.40 (note underneath says within normal limits?) No idea what the limits are as >5.40 is all it says

Ferritin 42 normal range 10 - 291 (strange it isn’t higher I’ve been on ferrous fumarate for 9 months, periods are heavy for 2 days then normal flow 3 days, could be lowering my iron)

Haemoglobin estimate 139 normal range 115 - 165

I am at my wits end, I have had dizziness and brain fog for 9 months now, eased a lot when I took 5mg folic acid and ferrous sulphate, they took the folic acid off me after 3 months but after standing up for myself allowed me to continue ferrous sulphate but 1 X daily, I just buy these over the counter now.
Any advice please? Desperate to feel normal again, my poor kids have hardly had an active mum over these summer holidays.

Thank u x

I’m puzzled why you’re reluctant to believe doctors when all your results are normal. Why are you convinced it’s PA? How old are you? Brain fog could be a symptom of being peri-menopausal. Hormone changes during peri also affect how the body deals with insulin so it might be worth getting your hormone levels checked if you’re under 45. If you’re over 45, you could speak to your GP about HRT. I know that you still have periods but that doesn’t mean you’re not peri.

I’m not a doctor BTW but it’s worth considering. My brain fog is horrendous and I’m constantly tired (and have other symptoms too) and it’s all hormone related.

I hope you find an answer

I’m 33.

Sorry maybe I should have explained,
I had my blood tests done last year and I was advised to get a multi vitamin from Tesco.
I then after reading up asked for a print out of my blood results, it was then I saw under iron and folic acid that I was deficient/ borderline anaemic. And granted since then I have been very wary of my doctors advice when it comes to blood results.

I mentioned hormone levels, doctor has basically said it could be hormones but I’m not allowed on pill due to my dad having a stroke (and other close members) He said it is too risky so more or less said it’s not peri menopausal and won’t help re testing further down that route.

the best test at this point, if you are not taking any b12 supplement is an active b12 test. You might have a struggle to convince your GP. For PA specifically, there are a couple of tests you can do, but more likely you might have to consider doing these privately. There are not 100% reliable though.

If all you are after is feeling better is to consider doing self injection. You'll need to educate yourself about it. The PA Facebook page is amazing.