Help please

[Cazzie91]

After calming down from my doctors appointment on monday. I have realised that my doctor isnt going to do the intrinsic factor test he has asked for anti gastric parietal cell antibodies. Should i be pushing for the intrinsic factor test?

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi Cazzie91

Gastric parietal cells" produce "Intrinsic Factor" which travels with food so I guess if they find antibodies there will be no I.F.

[Galixie]

You should push to have both tests done. My doctor made the same mistake as yours of assuming only one test is necessary. Unfortunately the gastric parietal cell antibody test is not specific enough to PA to give a definitive diagnosis. It does give an indication of an absorption problem if you test positive though.

You and your doctor both need to be aware that the intrinsic factor antibody test, if positive, is an accurate indicator of PA. A negative result does not rule out PA because the test only comes back positive in about half of PA patients.

I hope you are able to get clear answers. I originally tested positive for parietal cell antibodies and was told I have PA (the IFA test wasn't done), then, a year later when I had both tests done, I tested negative for both. I've been in diagnosis limbo ever since. It's clear to me that I have PA, but I can't prove it scientifically.

[fbirder]

I'm with Galixie here - ask for both.

Using the info in Hidden 's post:

If both are negative you probably don't have PA

If both are positive you definitely have PA

If IF is positive and GPC is negative then you almost certainly have PA

If IF is negative and GPC is positive then you might have PA.

[Cazzie91]

Thanks for all of your help. I think I will be making a trip to the doctors on monday to ask for it to be added to my test or at least make a phone call. I have had a horrible time with my doctors i dont want to risk anything not being seen!!