Can Lyme Disease Cause Pernicious Anemia?

Many autoimmune diseases can be linked to Lyme.

Yes, the treatment is B12 injections, or there is also a nasal gel. Sometimes, sublingual B12 is enough, but if I were you, I wouldn't try the sublingual B12 until your deficiency has been corrected with the shots or the nasal gel.

Unfortunately, the form of B12 most widely available (and cheapest) is not the best form of B12 for the body. Cyanocobolamin has to be converted to methylcobolamin or hydroxycobolamin before the body can actually use it.

So the best option for your body is to ask your doctor to prescribe methylcobolamin or hydroxycobolamin injections and you'll need to fill the prescription at a pharmacy that can specially compound injectable medications (few exist anymore - try calling hospital pharmacies in your area).

But if you can't get the special form of B12, start with the cyanocobolamin. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause permanent neurological damage if not addressed.

I haven't been diagnosed with pernicious anemia (that I know of anyway), and I'm having to do twice weekly B-12 injections. I know that although not a majority of Lyme patients have to use B-12 injections, but quite a few do.

Really?! I sweat uncontrollably 24/7, so Babs totally makes sense. I have not been tested for coinfections. Should I ask my ID doctor, or wait till I see a LLMD in November?

Yes, there is a huge absorption difference between oral and injectable Vitamin B12. Injectable is 100% absorbed. Oral is 1-2%. Sublingual is better, but not nearly as good as injectable. And if one has autoimmune Pernicious Anemia, the oral route is not likely sufficient to correct deficiency.