This book could save you years' of ill health! Vitamin B12 deficiency, often caused by pernicious anaemia, can be a devastating condition if left untreated, leading to irreversible nerve damage and disability after years of exhaustion and mental 'fog'. Its symptoms creep up on sufferers and are under-recognized by doctors; tests to confirm it and underlying pernicious anaemia, are problematic. Martyn Hooper, the founder of the Pernicious Anaemia Society, now brings together vital information about the condition and real-life stories- including his own and those of many members of the Society - that will help sufferers and their friends and families recognize the condition and understand how best to tackle it. In particular, the book draws on the findings of a survey of Society members that give new clarity to the complex issues involved.
1. My story
2. Blood, vitamins and B12
3. Sources of B12
4. The symptoms of B12 deficiency
5. Problems with diagnosing B12 deficiency
6. Pernicious anaemia, intrinsic factor and vitamin B12
7. Problems with diagnosing pernicious anaemia
8. Treating pernicious anaemia
9. Sub-acute combined degeneration of the spinal cord secondary to pernicious anaemia
10. The future
Martyn Hooper founded the Pernicious Anaemia Society after being forced to give up full time work as a lecturer in Further Education owing to the long term effects of undiagnosed pernicious anaemia and vitamin B12 deficiency. He now runs the Society full time, and campaigns for improvements in diagnosis and treatment of these conditions.
