Your results don't seem to flag up a developing anaemia - the variations seem pretty minor so not significant.
PA (an auto-immune disorder that attacks the mechanisms that the body uses to absorb B12 from food) is one potential cause of a B12 deficiency. An endoscopy will allow your doctor to see what is going on in the terminal ileum and see if there is damage consistent with PA or other absorption problems.
The best test for PA as a specific cause is probably gastrin if it is available.
No a gastronomic test is quite different but if it is well over range is a good indicator of PA. The test you had done, parietal cell antibodies is not usually done to confirm PA these days, although I had it done and was positive and so PA confirmed.
APCA [Anti-parietal cell antibodies] can be found in 85-90% of patients with PA. Their presence is not sufficient for diagnosis, because they are not specific for PA as they are also found in the circulation of individuals with other diseases.
[End quote]
However, it's my impression that a positive test result for intrinsic factor antibodies is thought to confirm pernicious anemia.
Have you had an Intrinsic Factor Antibody test (IFA/IFAb)?
This is the usual test for PA in UK. However a negative result in IFA test does not rule out PA.
IFA test can sometimes give a false positive if blood taken close to a B12 injection. Labs may suggest leaving at least 48 hours and up to two weeks after a B12 injection before testing IFA.
It's possible to have Antibody Negative PA but some GPs may not be aware of this possibility.
See diagnostic flowchart below.
Diagnostic flowchart from BSH Cobalamin and Folate Guidelines which mentions Antibody Negative PA.
UK guidelines below suggest anyone with unexplained B12, folate or iron deficiency should be tested. If you were tested in past and had a negative result check the GP followed recommended diagnostic process, some don't....
If you click on "project documents" then on "consultation comments and responses" it gives a good insight into current issues around diagnosis and treatment (lots of pages).
Some UK forum members find that their doctors have misconceptions (wrong ideas) about B12 deficiency.
Misconceptions about a B12 deficiency
(From Dutch B12 website - units, ref ranges, treatment patterns may vary from UK)
Iga normal in April.Just checked b12 injections was a month before test but don't know if I was eating gluten around that time. Thyroid TSH keeps going up to 4 1 the highest and TS4 was 22.7 just over range once so they're saying my Thyroid normal.Think they are going to do another endoscopy this will be my 8th surely they'd see stomach damage to confirm PA
As I've been on a POI damage could be masked.Afrer 14 years just cone off it for this endoscopy so hopefully see what's what I need access to my full hospital medical records Onlune doesn't tell me much
Ring hospital main switchboard number and ask to be put through to records department who should be able to tell you about process of accessing records.
You will probably need to make a SAR which stands for Subject Access Request.
You may need to provide documents that prove your identity.
You could put "Subject Access Request" in search box on hospital website.
The Patients Association article on accessing medical records
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Help with interpreting test results, please!
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Help with blood test results please
Help with blood results please
