Pernicious Anaemia Test

This gives a complete picture of Vitamin B12 deficiency.

This profile is for individuals to find out anemia due to Vitamin B12 deficiency.

This profile gives complete picture of Vitamin B12 deficiency. This profile includes Parietal Cell Antibody by IF, Intrinsic Factor Antibody by IF, Vitamin B12 and CBC.

• The pernicious anaemia profile is done to diagnose pernicious anaemia, a condition in which the body is unable to absorb vitamin B12 from the gastrointestinal tract.

If pernicious anaemia is suspected, a Gastric biopsy may be done for confirming the diagnosis and underlying cause.

You should get the Anaemia Profile-Pernicious done if you observe the following symptoms:

• Appetite loss or weight loss
• Cold hands and feet
• Brittle nails
• Rapid heartbeat
• Fatigue and weakness
• Breathlessness
• Pale skin, lips and eyes
• Inability to focus or confusion
• Loss of memory
• Headaches
• Dizziness

Anaemia Profile-Pernicious includes the following group and individual tests:

• Complete Blood Count (CBC) to check for low red blood cell count and high levels of mean corpuscular volume (MCV)
• Serum Vitamin B12 levels, which will be low in individuals with pernicious anaemia
• Anti-Intrinsic Factor
• Anti-Parietal Cell antibodies test

This test requires a blood sample. A tourniquet (elastic) band is placed tightly on the upper arm. The patient is then asked to make a fist. This helps in the build-up of blood filling the veins. The skin is disinfected before needle insertion and the blood sample is collected in vacutainer.

From IT masters

If the parietal cell antibody (PCA) test, intrinsic factor antibody (IFA) test, vitamin B12 test, and complete blood count (CBC) all come back positive for pernicious anaemia, it is likely that the individual has the condition.

• A positive PCA test indicates that the individual has antibodies against the parietal cells in the stomach, which are responsible for secreting intrinsic factors. The presence of these antibodies suggests that the individual's body is attacking its own parietal cells, leading to a deficiency of intrinsic factors and therefore an inability to absorb vitamin B12.
• A positive IFA test indicates that the individual has antibodies against intrinsic factors. The presence of these antibodies also suggests the individual's body is attacking their own intrinsic factor and therefore leading to a deficiency of intrinsic factors and therefore an inability to absorb vitamin B12.
• A low vitamin B12 level, together with high levels of mean corpuscular volume (MCV) on a complete blood count (CBC) test, is indicative of megaloblastic anaemia, which is a common feature of pernicious anaemia.

Therefore, a positive result on all of these tests indicates that the individual has pernicious anaemia, caused by a deficiency of vitamin B12 due to a lack of intrinsic factor, possibly due to an autoimmune disorder.

It's important to note that having a positive test result should be confirmed by the physician, and further examination and tests may be necessary before confirming the diagnosis of Pernicious anemia.