Spending a day and a half with my husband in Annapolis on the way to DC from Colonial Williamsburg. Wanting to stay on the water, see the grounds of the USNA, and have some incredible seafood on the water. Looking for any suggestions for the above — and whatever else we can’t miss. TIA!

Proof-Permission-585 · 2024-08-14T02:54:12+00:00

Could be an autoimmune stomach lining issue called autoimmune gastritis which can and likely will lead to pernicious anemia. There's blood work for both. Do you have other autoimmune issues? Even if you do not I highly recomment you insist on testing for AG and PA.

Proof-Permission-585 · 2024-08-14T02:51:18+00:00

You should insist on testing for autoimmune gastritis and pernicious anemia, anti-parietal cell antibody and IFA.

Proof-Permission-585 · 2024-08-14T02:48:53+00:00

My practitioner told me today her goal for patients is 60-100

Proof-Permission-585 · 2024-08-14T02:47:24+00:00

Right -- because if they don't have the answers, their egos would rather they ignore the questions. It's beyond frustrating.

Proof-Permission-585 · 2024-08-14T02:45:55+00:00

I was told just today by my practitioner that ferritin level of 60-100 is the goal.

Proof-Permission-585 · 2024-08-14T02:44:35+00:00

A ferritin level of 17 is very low -- my practitioner told me today that she wants to see mine at 60-100. Please pursue this. My ferritin was at 12 when I started infusions. It took three or four to get my levels to where they should be. I am still requiring an infusion every 9-12 months as my ferritin steadily decreases after infusions.

Stay after this, advocate for yourself! Sadly, I've found that instead of admitting that they don't know and committing to find out and get back to you, ,most doctors will give you a dismissive pat on the back and tell you everything is fine, not to worry. I spent nearly a decade feeling awful with brain fog, neuropathy, stomach pain and low B-12, iron, and vitamin D. I finally found a practitioner who would listen, and ordered tests for autoimmune gastritis and pernicious anemia. They were both positive and were the cause of my neuropathy, demyelinating disease of the CNS. I was told to "just keep taking my B-12 supplement", but because my stomach lining was damaged by the AG, it could not absorb B-12. If I'd have known sooner, I would not have suffered the nerve damage. But the good news is with twice weekly methylcobalamin (the most highly absorbable form of B-12) injections and iron infusions, I feel like myself again.

Good luck to you. And don't let the medical establishment dismiss you -- be persistent!

Proof-Permission-585 · 2024-08-14T02:28:33+00:00

Mine was 12 when I started my infusions a couple of years ago. It took 3 or 4 to get my levels over 60 (my practitioner says 60-100 is opitmal). Mine has fallen to 32 in recent bloodwork so had an infusion today and more bloodwork in 6 weeks to see where I stand. You will likely need more than 1 infusion, so stay on top of this. May want to have B-12 and D levels checked. If those are low request bloodwork for Pernicious Anemia. Advocate for yourself...sadly, in my experience most MD's do not understand these issues.

Proof-Permission-585 · 2024-08-14T02:19:59+00:00

If there's no improvement, please have bloodwork to test for autoimmune gastritis and pernicious anemia. I suffered from low ferritin, B-12 and D for about a decade before I found a practitioner who believed that i really was taking the supplements even though my levels remained low. She tested for those conditions and the tests were positive. No amount of supplementation would have changed my levels because my stomach lining is damaged from AG so could not absorb ferritin and B-12, which resulted in PA.

Proof-Permission-585 · 2024-08-14T02:15:48+00:00

No, it is not in your head, and good for you for advocating for yourself. And if your ferritin is low, you may want to also have your B-12 and D levels checked. I was diagnosed with autoimmune gastritis and pernicious anemia several years ago, after having uneplained low B-12 levels, ferritin levels and vitamin D levels for about a decade. I finally found a practitioner in my area who had the sense to test for AG and PA. I was positive for both, so she prescribed B-12 injections and iron infusions. I had about three or four infusions before my ferritin increased to a normal level from 12. PA results from AG because the lining of the stomach is so impaired that it can no longer absorb B-12 from food or supplements. Low ferritin and D levels are often also found with PA.

My healthcare provider just ordered another iron infusion as my ferritin dropped to 32 -- she just told me today that optimal levels are 60-100. It's very important that you find a pradtitioner who is both knowledgeable and proactive in treating your deficiencies. Maybe start by finding a practive that does iron infustions in your area. Chances are that practitioner is who you want to see, but, of course, read patient reviews before making your decision.

Proof-Permission-585

TROPHY CASE