Vitamin B12 / Pernicious Anaemia

A couple of years ago [just when all my cardiac problems seemed nicely sorted], I was suddenly diagnosed with B12 deficiency, and have been having booster-jabs at 3-month intervals. ... I was offered no explanation: it appears to be just one of those things that happen.

This short piece in yesterday’s News prompts me to raise the matter for Tea Room discussion: **LINK**

https://theconversation.com/vitamin-b12-deficiency-what-is-pernicious-anaemia-and-why-can-it-be-so-dangerous-125389

MichaelG.

Hi Michael,

Sorry to hear about your B12 deficiency. My GP said I had a B9 deficiency so I have been taking a combination of B12, B9 and B6 tablets up to last month. My GP had no explanation why my B9 levels was low.

Thor

Hello Michael, you are not alone. I was diagnosed with this about 10 years ago and have received the injections 4 times a year to keep the problem under control and, as you say, it appears to be just one of those things.

Many thanks for posting the link which is very informative.

Brian

A very interesting article, l was diagnosed with B12 deficiency as part of the testing carried out when I had a TIA (mini stroke) some 12 years ago and I also have to have a booster injection every 12 weeks. I have never felt any different before or after the booster jab and have always wondered if it was really necessary in the first place. However reading Michael's link it has made me wonder if the supplement in my case is sufficient for me as most of the symptoms listed l still experience and l had assumed it was just an age problem. Oh well, something else to worry about!

Phil

Maybe you need one of these.

but maybe it would provide more Iron and Coper than B12 even though "it are one"

regards Martin

Until a hundred years ago Pernicious Anaemia was fatal. And after a successful treatment was found it was horrible - victims had to eat about a pound of raw liver daily. Yuk!

Double yuk! I'm a vegetarian.

Brian

I too have quarterly B12 injections. I am an octogenerian who suffers from Coeliac Disease which results in me not being able to absorb B12 through my stomach. B12 is reputed to increase vigour, but I do not notice any difference, which probably means I am getting enough (or I am too old to notice!).

Having quarterly injections is trivial compared with the likely effects of not having them, as illustrated by the effects listed in MichaelG's Link.

Paul

Oh well, another member of the club here. Diagnosed with Pernicious Anaemia a couple of years ago also, and getting my 4 shots of B12 per year too, At the beginning even several per month, can't remember the exact numbers. It has effects on the brain/memory, isn't it so?

Always tired and sluggish, but the blood tests say that most values are in the green range,

The doc promised me that I should reach 80 years; I was 78 last month... nonetheless hope to prove him wrong!

Regards,
Hans

A few years ago, I used to have the B12 injections. That has now changed and I have tablets of cyanobalamin (B12) which I have to take daily. I don't know what the difference is.

Anthony, if one's stomach doesn't secrete 'intrinsic factor', one can't absorb orally-delivered B12. Therefore, B12 is injected in cases in which intrinsic factor is deficient - as in classical 'pernicious anaemia'. If oral B12 is working for you, you presumably can produce sufficient intrinsic factor, and your need for B12 supplementation is because of one of the many other possible causes.

[pedantic footnote: B12 = cyanocobalamin]

Edited By Kiwi Bloke on 05/05/2021 12:00:23