Intrinsic factor test..

[xJJx]

What does the result mean please?

(Intrinsic factor antibody56 u/mL Abnormal result0 - 6u/mL)

I am now on b12 injections ..

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi xJJx I'm not a medically trained person but here is a quote from Martyn Hooper's book "What you need to know about Pernicious Anaemia & Vitamin B12 Deficiency"

"In a normal healthy person the stomach lining has what are called "Gastric parietal cells" which produce "Intrinsic Factor" which travels with food through the small intestine which is made up of three parts - the Duodenum, the Jejunum and the Ilium.. Iron is absorbed in the Duodenum, most other nutrients in the Jejunum and our friend B12 in the Ilium. Here the Intrinsic Factor binds to the B12 and the "B12/IF Complex" enters the cells on the wall of the Ilium after binding to receptors on the surface of the Ileal cells, allowing it to enter the blood stream.

Sadly some people with "traditional P,A." either do not produce Intrinsic Factor or if they do, they also produce an antibody which destroys it and it is then called "Autoimmune Pernicious Anaemia". In addition it can happen that we produce "Parietal cell Antibodies" and "Intrinsic Factor Antibodies" which totally wipes out any chance of absorbing the B12.

From what you quote it looks as though you do have the antibody although I don't understand the numbers. Fortunately there are others on here who will.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

The result means you have tested positive for IF antibodies so you have a confirmed diagnosis of PA in the sense of being an autoimmune response has stopped you being able to absorb B12 in the ileum.

Caveat on that is that the sample for the IFA test wasn't taken immediately after you had had an injection (condition in which you can get a false positive result)

[xJJx in reply to Gambit62]

No .. before i started..

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to xJJx]

in which case you definitely have PA.

[xJJx]

Is PA for life now ?

[taka Administrator]

You will need to have B12 injections for life as a result of having PA as you cannot absorb B12 via the normal route (your gut) due to the anti-intrinsic factor antibodies you have.

Have a look at some of the links in the pinned posts and also these and other posts on the PA society website for more info

pernicious-anaemia-society....

pernicious-anaemia-society....

[xJJx]

Why doesn't it get better ..

[xJJx]

Also have autoimmune thyroiditis..