A thorough blood test including intrinsic factor antibodies and MMA to help diagnose autoimmune gastritis or pernicious anaemia, conditions which affect your body's ability to absorb vitamin B12.
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Autoimmunity
Intrinsic factor antibodies
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Intrinsic factor is produced in the stomach and helps extract vitamin B12 from the foods we eat. Interference in its production or activity can reduce the absorption of vitamin B12. Intrinsic factor antibodies are produced by the immune system. Intrinsic factor is necessary to extract vitamin B12 from the food we eat. Without sufficient intrinsic factor available, vitamin B12 is unabsorbed and the body cannot produce enough red blood cells which leads to the autoimmune condition pernicious anaemia.
Clotting status
Platelet count
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Platelets or clotting cells are the smallest type of blood cell. They are formed in the bone marrow and are important in blood clotting. When bleeding occurs, the platelets swell, clump together and form a sticky plug (a clot) which helps stop the bleeding.
MPV
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MPV, or Mean Platelet Volume, is a measurement of the average size of your platelets. Platelets are fragmented cells within the blood that aid the process of clot formation. MPV provides an indication of platelet production in your bone marrow.
Iron status
Ferritin
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Ferritin is a protein which stores iron in your cells and tissues. Usually, the body incorporates iron into haemoglobin to be transported around the body, but when it has a surplus, it stores the remaining iron in ferritin for later use. Measuring ferritin levels gives us a good indication of the amount of iron stored in your body.
Red blood cells
Haemoglobin
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Haemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells which carries oxygen around the body and gives the blood its red colour. This test measures the amount of haemoglobin in the blood and is a good measure of the blood's ability to carry oxygen around the body.
Haematocrit
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HCT (haematocrit) measures the amount of space (volume) within the blood that is taken up by red blood cells.
Red cell count
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Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count analyses the number of red blood cells in the blood. Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body, where it can be used to fuel energy processes such as movement and respiration. They also carry carbon dioxide produced from cells back to the lungs so that it can be exhaled.
MCV
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MCV (mean corpuscular volume) reflects the average size of your red blood cells. This is important to measure, as it can indicate how much oxygen your cells are likely to be transporting around the body.
MCH
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MCH (mean corpuscular haemoglobin) measures the average amount of haemoglobin contained in one of your red blood cells.
MCHC
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MCHC (mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration) is the average concentration of haemoglobin in your red blood cells. Haemoglobin is a molecule which allows red blood cells to transport oxygen around the body.
RDW
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Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) indicates whether your red blood cells are all the same size, or different sizes or shapes. Normally cells are fairly uniform both in size and in shape, but some blood disorders may cause your red blood cells to form in abnormal sizes. This test measures the difference between the largest and the smallest red blood cell.
Vitamins
Folate - serum
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Folate is a B vitamin which acts as a coenzyme in the metabolism of amino acids. It is also vital for the synthesis of purines and pyrimidines which are essential for DNA synthesis and red cell formation. Folate is also especially important during the first trimester of pregnancy so if you are thinking of becoming pregnant it is important to make sure your folate levels are normal.
Vitamin B12 - active
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Vitamin B12 is important for production of red blood cells which carry oxygen around the body. B12 is also involved in metabolism and the nervous system and prolonged lack of vitamin B12 may cause nerve damage. Although Vitamin B12 is almost entirely found in animal-based foods, many vegetarian and vegan products, especially plant milks are now fortified with Vitamin B12.
Methylmalonic acid - serum
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Vitamin B12 is needed to convert methylmalonic acid to coenzyme A. In vitamin B12 deficiency methylmalonic acid will accumulate in the body rather than being converted to coenzyme A. Both active vitamin B12 and serum B12 levels can be normal in people with the symptoms and biochemical signs of vitamin B12 deficiency, particularly when B12 levels are towards the lower end of the normal range. Measuring blood levels of methylmalonic acid can help to establish whether there is an underlying B12 deficiency.
White blood cells
White cell count
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White Blood Cell (WBC) Count measures the number of white blood cells in the blood. White blood cells are key to your body's immune system. They fight infections and protect your body from foreign invaders such as harmful germs and bacteria. Additionally, they produce many antibodies and memory cells to protect you from further infections with the same germ.
Neutrophils
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Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell in the body and are responsible for helping your body fight infection. When a germ is initially detected by the body, neutrophils are the defence system which go out and attack the germ before any of your other white blood cells. When neutrophils are low you can be more vulnerable to illness and infection.
Lymphocytes
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Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell which fight bacterial and viral infections. They are the subset of white blood cells involved in the more specific response to infections, which can identify and differentiate between different foreign organisms that enter the body. As well as fighting infection, they produce antibodies and memory cells to help to prevent future infections from the same germ. Lymphocytes include T cells, B cells and natural killer cells.
Monocytes
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Monocytes are a type of white blood cell that surround and destroy germs and dead or damaged cells from the blood. The heat and swelling that you feel when a body part is inflamed, for example after a cut on your finger, is caused by the activities of these cells.
Eosinophils
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Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell that are responsible for removing parasitic infections and regulating inflammation to mark an infected site. They also play a role in allergy and in asthma.
Basophils
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Basophils are a type of white blood cell that protect your body from bacteria and parasites such as ticks. They also play a role in allergic reactions.
Special instructions
How to prepare for your test
Prepare for your Pernicious Anaemia Blood Test by following these instructions. Do not take vitamin B12 for two weeks prior to this test. If your B12 is prescribed ask your doctor whether to stop. Take your sample at least 24 hours after any vitamin or mineral supplements. Do not take biotin supplements for two days before this test, discuss this with your doctor if it is prescribed. Do not take vitamin B12 for two weeks prior to this test. If your B12 is prescribed ask your doctor whether to stop.
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FAQs
What are the symptoms of pernicious anaemia?
Pernicious anaemia can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are varied and can be confused with other conditions. If you don't get enough vitamin B12, your body can't manufacture red blood cells properly. This affects your blood's ability to transport oxygen around your body, causing symptoms like tiredness, palpitations, and pale skin. Other symptoms include breathlessness, pins and needles, brain fog, swollen tongue, and mouth ulcers.
What is the Pernicious Anaemia Blood Test?
Our Pernicious Anaemia Blood Test includes a full blood count (to check for misshapen red cells), active vitamin B12 (the B12 that is available for your body), ferritin (to rule out iron deficiency anaemia), and folate (for healthy red blood cells). It includes a test for methylmalonic acid (MMA), which is often raised in early B12 deficiency and intrinsic factor antibodies, which can help confirm whether an autoimmune condition is causing low vitamin B12.
What is pernicious anaemia?
Pernicious anaemia is a result of chronic, severe vitamin B12 deficiency. True pernicious anaemia (life-threatening aneamia) is now very rare due to greater awareness and treatment for B12 deficiency. One of the most common causes of pernicious anaemia is autoimmune gastritis, an autoimmune condition affecting the stomach that prevents the absorption of vitamin B12. It is a lifelong condition but treatable with vitamin B12 replacement.