Gastric parietal atrophy

[sueeaton]

Hello,

Could someone advise me whether the NHS gastric parietal atrophy test is reliable?

Thanks

[Gambit62 Administrator]

gastric parietal atrophy is identified by physically looking at the cells in the small intestine to check that the cells aren't dead - so it is pretty conclusive.

I think you are getting confused with the Gastric parietal cell antibody test - which isn't necessarily accurate - and can give falls positives in some circumstances as well as false negatives. It isn't a test that is actually recommended for the diagnosis of PA in the UK

[sueeaton in reply to Gambit62]

Thank you for clarifying this for me. My doctor rang me and said that she wanted me to have a blood test so I suspect that you are correct and that the test I will be having is the antibody test.

The information you've given me about the accuracy will allow me to have a discussion with her about the results, so it has been most helpful.

[fbirder in reply to sueeaton]

There are two antibody tests:

anti-IF (Intrinsic Factor): This test is very specific for PA (if positive you have a 95% chance of having it). But it's got very low sensitivity (about 50% of the time people with PA test negative).

anti-GPC: (Gastric Parietal Cells): This test is much more sensitive (80%) but not as specific. It is no longer recommended.

Personally, I would request both anti-IF and anti-GPC tests and I reckon that both positive are a sure sign of PA but a positive for just anti-GPC, in combination with low B12, is almost as good as just anti-IF.

[sueeaton]

Thank you for this information. My doctor has rung to say she wants me to have a blood test and I didn't really catch what is was for, other than it was for gastric parietal atrophy. Or at least I thought that was what it was for.

Anyway, once the results are through she will ring me to discuss them and I will be able to have a more informed discussion now that I have this information. If you are in agreement I would like to print off your response to give to her, prior to the blood test. She is extremely kind and helpful and receptive to any information I give her.

[fbirder in reply to sueeaton]

There's a lot of info about Pernicious Anaemia (which is the nastiest consequence of autoimmune gastric atrophy) in my summary - frankhollis.com/temp/Summar... - which you may find useful.

[sueeaton in reply to fbirder]

Thank you.