Intrinsic Factor Antibodies
|
Assay |
Intrinsic factor antibodies |
|
Key Words |
Intrinsic factor antibodies, IFA |
|
Specimen Collection |
Serum (brown) |
|
Turnaround time |
28 days |
|
Test indications |
The combination of intrinsic factor antibody positivity and low vitamin B12 is diagnostic of Pernicious Anaemia. However a negative test for serum antibodies against intrinsic factor does not exclude pernicious anaemia as this test is insensitive, with only approximately 50% of patients with pernicious anaemia having intrinsic factor antibodies. For this reason, gastric parietal cell antibodies are used to screen for pernicious anaemia, and intrinsic factor antibodies are used as a confirmatory test accepting that not all patients with pernicious anaemia will have intrinsic factor antibodies. Only GPC-positive samples will be tested for intrinsic factor antibodies. |
|
Methodology |
Enzyme Immunoassay |
|
Interferences |
No known methodological interferences |
|
Reference Range |
Negative: <7 EliA U/mL Equivocal: 7-10 ELiA U/mL Positive: >10 ELiA U/mL |
|
Analytical error |
Contact laboratory (x8454) |
|
Reference change value |
N/A |
