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Vitamin B12 Patient Support Group

Wed, 12/23/2009 - 21:50 — hugominney

Patient Support Group Introduction

As an established expert patient group we write in support of Dr Joseph Chandy and his treatment of B12 deficient patients. Through studying outcomes of patients suffering from B12 vitamin deficiency within his Practice he has gathered detailed evidence based of a significant cohort of patients over a number of years which is detailed in his retrospective study (1981-to date) along with UK and worldwide reference in substantiation.

An additional perspective to Mainstream Practice

Mainstream UK Clinical Practice means that patients are treated when their condition results in Pernicious Anaemia. Dr Chandy’s study bears out that this is usually the end stage of the Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms. He believes some patients can be objectively and clinically diagnosed at an earlier stage when the B12 level falls below 300ng/l Currently, mainstream practice is usually below 200ng/l or sometimes 150ng/l before B12 replacement is given if they have been fortunate enough to be tested. Pathology Laboratories’ criteria for allowing testing may limit the General Practitioners’ freedom to request a test based on patients symptoms and signs outside mainstream referral criteria.

Debating whether a Change in Diagnosis and Treatment is required

Dr Chandy studying B12 results

Dr Chandy’s B12 deficiency study shows that it is sufficient to have a level between 150-300mcg to warrant further investigation and often treatment following a very specific pathway which the practice has developed. (This pathway and the Easington PCT letter of approval to conduct this pathway under supervision is available for Practitioners via the log in at the top of this page).

For example, symptoms observed are Tiredness, Hair loss, Anxiety, Pins & Needles etc and some patients presenting with Multiple Sclerosis-like symptoms, Alopecia, Post Natal Depression Gastro-intestinal disorders, unexplained numbness, paralysis and Neurological symptoms have been attributable to B12 deficiency in some specific cases.

Treatment Safety

As the recent (17th July 05) European ruling has proved, Vitamin B12 has no detrimental side effects irrespective of dosage and an overdose is NOT harmful.

Supporting Better Health

Our aspiration is the fortification of foods with Vitamin B12 to enhance the populations health as both the source and storage of B12 from our foods today is limiting. Indeed many food manufacturers are now including Vitamin B12 in their product makeup. We believe this is a Public Health issue of vital importance and urge every reader to contribute to the debate

Hon President John Cummings MP for Easington

Chairman

Colin Reynolds

 

Secretary

Ann Peel

Treasurer

Ernest Bostwick
Vitamin B12 Deficiency Patient Support Group
Horden, Co Durham

 

Most Recent Five Posts

Title Post date Teaser
Poem: B12 deficiency - a silent death Tue, 08/31/2010 - 20:28

I am, I see, I think and I feel why does no one recognise me.
I want to shout out in the darkness
'Why the loneliness, isolation and a desperate helplessness;
Please someone comfort me'.
Are you B12-deficient? Fri, 08/06/2010 - 11:24

The first stage is to check your Signs and Symptoms.  Symptoms of B12 deficiency are generally non-specific, that is, they could be caused by a number of different things.  It's only when you have a number of different symptoms, occurring at the same time, that it makes sense to look for a common cause such as B12 deficiency.
Why is B12 deficiency more common now? Fri, 08/06/2010 - 11:05

I have a theory.  Now I must tell you that I’m not a doctor and have no medical qualifications so I can’t advise you; but I can share my experience.  In the past, Caucasians (white Europeans and colonists) got our B12 from meat.  People living nearer the equator had more vegetables in their diet, so if they weren’t really efficient at “scavenging” B12 – recycling i
Entero-hepatic circulation of B12 – or Why don’t vegetarians get B12 deficiency? Wed, 08/04/2010 - 16:25

When you stop eating B12 in your diet (for example by becoming a vegetarian), you may not notice if it on your B12 level for 10 years or more.
Conversely, when you develop a condition like pernicious anaemia, the effects can be devastating and very fast. We wondered why this was?
Pernicious Anaemia and B12 deficiency Wed, 07/28/2010 - 10:55

 Dr Chandy and I travelled to Bridgend to provide video interviews for the Pernicious Anaemia society. They have assembled some really top-quality people for these interviews, including local GPs and many experts in the field -- we were delighted to be invited.