Anti Intrinsic factor Antibodies
Immunology and Allergy Overview / Directory
Purpose of the test
Autoimmune gastritis (type A gastritis) is characterised by the presence of anti-gastric parietal cell antibody. However, this autoantibody is not unique to autoimmune gastritis as it may also be found in autoimmune thyroiditis and type 1 diabetes and in first-degree relatives of such patients. Pernicious anaemia (PA) is a clinical manifestation of autoimmune gastritis and is associated with the presence of autoantibodies to intrinsic factor (IF). Two types of IF antibody have been described; type1 IF antibody binds to the vitamin B12 binding site and type 2 hinders the binding site by binding to nearby structures. The ELISA used is able to detect both types of anti-IF.
Sample Requirements
2 ml freshly separated serum
Storage and Transport
Serum stored at 4°C should be sent by first class post
Turnaround Time
10 working days
Time Limit for Extra Tests
Five days
Factors affecting results or interpretation
All tests are compromised by prolonged transit times. For this reason, date of bleed and date of postage must be provided with each request.
Price
Price available on application - please contact adrianturner1@nhs.net. Discounts could be available for significant workloads.
Contacts
Dr Ted Davies, Consultant Clinical Scientist
T 020 3299 9000 Ex 8752
John Cazabon or Rosemary Ebling, Lead Biomedical Scientists
T 020 3299 1559
