If taking B12 supps skew's PA Intrinsic Factor test, does it do the same for Gastric Parietal Cell AB too?

[Gillybean1]

Hi Everyone,

Im a bit out of my depth here and wondered if you could help please. Ive taken B Complex for nearly 25 years, I do wonder whether serum levels have always been scuppered, as I read again that to do a credible PA , MMA test I needed to be off B12 for minimum 4- 6 moths , possibly longer. And that even then this may be inconclusive or false. I have only managed to cease B12 supps for 5 weeks the effect was damaging.

Is this the same with the Gastric Parietal AB to be off B12 ? I note the NHS states positive Gastric Parietal AB should be treated with B12 injections to possibly arrest the antibodies regardless of PA being negative, and to not assume that PA neg is accurate.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated, every best wish . G

[FlipperTD]

Simple answer: No.

[Gillybean1 in reply to FlipperTD]

Thank you FlipperTD for taking the time to reply, every best wish, G

[FlipperTD in reply to Gillybean1]

Hi Gillybean1. Sorry for my very short response, but it boils down to how the tests are done. The methods are very different. Plus the IFAb test is still a bit of a mystery even when you're doing them! Many tests we do can suffer from interference, and the IFAb test methods can be prone to interference with free B12.

In my days in the lab, we reflex tested B12 samples for IFAb when the B12 result was below the reference range cutoff. The great majority of IFAb tests in my lab were lab-generated, although we did provide a service for other labs too. The introduction of a sully automated test made this practical.

Cheers.

[Gillybean1 in reply to FlipperTD]

Thanks again for your reply FlipperTD. It does seem a bit hit and miss.......if by low odds a positive is found and can be helpful in securing a trial treatment of a B12 injection it must be lifechanging for those......meanwhile for those whom the test reveals 'normal' despite having 99% of listed B12 deficient symptoms life will be appalling.

Whatever happened to treating the persons symptoms , especially if just one B12 injection makes the difference and appears to have no contraindication.Especially if there is no fullproof test.

Every best wish, G

[FlipperTD in reply to Gillybean1]

Your point is well-made! Treat the patient, not the numbers.

We used to have the Schilling Tests, which were rather more reliable in that they demonstrated the absorption of B12 from the stomach, and also showed whether IF improved things. But of course, having worked for a number of years, all of a sudden the supply of consumables was withdrawn for perceived risks from them, and that's how we ended up with only the IFAb test to be of much use, and then we know it only identifies around half of the cases. The Schilling Tests were far more complex, infinitely more expensive, and could still fail if misused, but that, as they say, is another story!

[Gillybean1 in reply to FlipperTD]

And surely more cost effective in the long run to the NHS ...........i guess in the 'claims for damages' for a splinter in your finger, we have made a rod for our own backs. We are back to putting individuals into 'tick' boxes and in so doing not hearing their pain.

Yes I recall hearing about The Schillings Test from a mature GP many moons ago.

The B12 issue does seem to be a ticking time bomb though if many are getting missed due to 30 years of fortifying basic foods with folic and in the last 10 years B12 added too.

Minnie moan over, thank you again for your words and support, every best wish G

[FlipperTD in reply to Gillybean1]

😀👍

[ReallyWondering]

No. I was taking B12 injections when I had my intrinsic factor antibody and parietal cell antibody tests and both came back positive.

[Gillybean1 in reply to ReallyWondering]

Hi ReallyWondering,

Oh, thats good to know. Thank you for taking the time to reply, every best wish , G