Pernicious Anaemia Society

NHS Use of Old Technology Leading to Misdiagnosis.

Date:21/10/09
Time:11a.m.
Embargoed until: 11 a.m. 21/10/09
Wednesday 21st October 2009.

Dowload PDF:20091021-01.pdf

Technology that is half a century old is being used by the NHS to determine the amount of Vitamin B12 in patients’ blood.

This current test examines the total amount of B12 in the blood but recent research has proved that there are two types of B12 – Active and Inactive. It is only the Active B12 that engages in the complex biochemistry that takes place to maintain good health.

“People are being denied treatment because the total level of B12 in their blood is above the lower marker for B12 Deficiency” says Martyn Hooper, Chairman of the Pernicious Anaemia Society.

“But that person whose blood shows that the total amount of B12 is above the lower marker might have a high percentage of Inactive B12 in their blood and only a small percentage of Active B12. This means that they will present themselves to their doctor with all the symptoms of B12 Deficiency but will not receive any treatment because their overall Serum B12 level will be above the lower threshold.

“People are suffering because of this and are regularly prescribed anti-depressants because the Doctor will attribute the symptoms as being imagined” says Martyn.

A more modern and accurate test has been developed in the past few years that measures only the Active B12 levels and is a far more accurate method of determining the state of the patients’ blood. If left untreated, B12 Deficiency leads to permanent and irreversible nerve damage and permanent disability.

Further Information from M. Hooper. 01656 724163/720187 07545897608