I have to take injections every other month or so, I do not have the
"intrinsic factor."

Dr. Sidney L. Davis, Jr.


-----Original Message-----
From: Carol <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Sunday, January 17, 1999 11:50 AM
Subject: Re: B12 Deficiency - what do I do?


>Roberta Leong wrote, in part:
>
>> B12 deficiency ("pernicious anemia") will cause serious problems
>> if not addressed.
>
>True, but pernicious anemia is only a type of B12 deficiency; they
>are not the same thing.  If you have pernicious anemia, you could
>take all the B12 pills and flesh foods you want, but they wouldn't
>help. That is because pernicious anemia is caused by a lack of the
>mysterious-sounding "intrinsic factor" which is a substance secreted
>by the parietal cells of the stomach and which is required for
>absorption of dietary B12.
>
>However, B12 deficiency can also be caused by a long-standing
>imbalance of the resident bacteria of the GI tract.  Some bacteria
>make B12; others use it up.
>
>You can find out if what you have is pernicious anemia or plain ol'
>B12 deficiency by taking what is called a Schilling test.  It tests
>your body's ability to absorb B12.
>
>Good luck!
>
>Carol