Does instrinic factors test determine the severity your PA?

[Wowo23]

Hi all,I was just wondering. I know you need MMTHFR, folate, iron ect..., but whay does the number or level does instrinic test mean? If any

[Gambit62 Administrator]

There is no correlation between the results and severity of symptoms. The test isn't very sensitive so gives a lot of false negatives (40%-60% depending on the test methodology.

The unit of measure is usually an 'AU' = arbitrary unit, mening that it has been measured on a scale that is specific to the piece of kit. The methodology uses atomic masses to identify which substances are present and because there are other substances in the blood that have similar masses the scale isn't set to start at zero but assumes that other substances have been picked up unless the result is above this point - which is why the rate of false negatives is so high.

[topazrat]

I've had a few IF tests done (not sure why the NHS felt the need to do more when the first was positive!) One was a lot higher than the other, so I'm sure the levels go up and down depending on how many antibodies your body is making at that time. I didn't feel any different when it was higher. Not a scientific answer, I know, just personal experience 🙂