Anemia & pernicious anemia. How to properly diagnose and monitor

[Plal]

Doctor’s have told me that I have anemia for many years and I’m not sure how to go about monitoring it.

I recently learned that I am vitamin b12 deficient as well. I tend to eat a variety of food including meat and I have never been deficient in b12 before. When I asked my doctor about my anemic history and how I should go about monitoring it as well as b12 levels, she replied with “your not anemic”

Symptoms I’ve been experiencing for years: fatigue, shortness of breathe at times, poor circulation (hands and feet are always cold even in warm months/developing varicose veins), and occasional dizziness.

I started taking subliminal b12 strips because she said I may have pernicious anemia and found that I couldn’t function without them after a while of taking them. I am not sure what to do. I am concerned about blood health

Thanks kindly in advance

[jemma116]

I would suggest that you see a different doctor in the practice and ask for a blood test to be taken to check your levels of iron and B12 deficiency.

Like greenlydia says, you can only monitor anaemic conditions by having a blood test.

Too much Vitamin B12 in the body is excreted in the urine, and a small amount needs to be eaten every day.  Just like other water soluble vitamins.  I take a sublingual 1000pg every day.

If your doctor finds that you do have a Vitamin B12 deficiency, he can also administer this by monthly injections until your levels reach normal.

The symptoms you describe (apart form the varicose veins) are typical of a person suffering from anaemia.  A multi vitamin with added iron may be worth taking, but in the first instance, the doctor needs to do blood tests.

Although vitamin B12 is obtained through certain foods and added into cereals, this may not be (and the sublingual tablets) absorbed by the gut.  So it is important for you to have your blood checked to make sure that the sublingual tablets you are taking are being absorbed.  If not then further investigation needs to be done.

Best wishes.

[RubyWitch]

I strongly advise you get a second opinion from a doctor who specializes in disorders of the blood. (A hematologist) It appears your current medical staff can't make up their minds if you're anemic or not.  

If you've been told by doctors for many YEARS that you have anemia, then THEY should have been TREATING you and MONITORING you. There are no home test for anemia that I've heard of..........only a doctor can monitor this condition as it requires a blood draw.

I wish I knew how old you are. Your symptoms can mean different things at different stages of our lives.
But, these are issues that you can and should discuss with the specialist. If he/she feels you should be evaluated by a different doctor for those conditions, they will refer you on.

At the end you said you began taking the B12 strips because "she said I may have pernicious anemia..........." but this was AFTER she already told you you weren't anemic? I can certainly see why your confused, because I sure as hell am!

How much B12 are you taking? Relative to daily requirements, vitamin C is stored in the smallest amounts and vitamin B12 is stored in the largest amounts, and it requires approximately 7 YEARS to exhaust the bodies reserve of 2-3 milligrams.

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) principle sources are liver, meats, (especially beef, pork and organ meats) eggs, milk and milk products.

The principle importance of B12 is maturation of red blood cells, nerve function and DNA synthesis.

The effects of deficiency and excess of Vitamin B12 are:
Deficiency: Pernicious anemia and other anemias (in strict vegetarians and people who have a fish tapeworm) some psychiatric disorders and poor vision.

DAILY REQUIREMENTS OF VITAMIN B12: 2 MICROGRAMS

Just some brief Vit. B12 info.
See a specialist and get this sorted out as soon as possible.
You don't need this added anxiety.
Please let me know what you find out, OK?
Peace
Greenlydia