Intrinsic Factor Blocking Antibodies, Serum

Intestinal uptake of vitamin B12 is facilitated by a receptor recognizing vitamin B12 in complex with gastric intrinsic factor (IF). Inadequate production of IF or expression of vitamin B12 receptors lead inevitably to vitamin B12 deficiency state and disease. Autoantibodies against IF can block IF-vitamin B12 interaction, thus, resulting in reduced intestinal uptake of vitamin B12.

Intrinsic factors plays a role in transportation and absorption of vitamin B12. Autoantibodies against intrinsic factor result in malabsorption of vitamin B12. Detection of low serum vitamin B12 and increased serum antibodies to intrinsic factor provides an important contribution to the differential diagnosis of pernicious anemia (PA). See Also Parietal Cell Antibodies (APCA), Serum

1 ml Serum Room Temperature

Negative: < 12.0 AU/mL Borderline: 12.0 - 18.0 AU/mL Positive: > 18.0 AU/mL