WHat Is the Gold Standard test for Pernivious Anaemia ?

[Ronsville2]

PA Standard

[fbirder]

There is no gold standard for a B12 deficiency, let alone PA. That is the opinion of the British Committee on Standards in Haematology - onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi... - see their first Key Point.

There is no reliable test for PA either. There are two antibody tests. Neither are much good.

The one for Gastric Parietal Cell antibodies is positive in about 85% of those with PA. But it is also positive in about 10% of those without PA.

The one for Intrinsic Factor antibodies is positive in only about 50% of those with PA.

A positive test for IF antibodies means you have PA. A negative test means nothing.

A positive test for GPC antibodies means you might have PA. In combination with other things (low serum B12, low active B12, high MMA, high hCys, metaplastic gastritis, hypergastrinemia) it can be part of a case for diagnosing PA.

[Ronsville2 in reply to fbirder]

Thanks fbirder. It sure is a nightmare situation for sufferers!

[Milley2 in reply to fbirder]

What is gpc test ?

[helvella in reply to Milley2]

GPC = Gastric Parietal Cell

Abbreviations and Acronyms

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