Pernicious Anaemia Test

Our Anaemia test is an advanced test that doesn't test your blood's Haemoglobin levels. Our Anaemia test checks for antibodies that bind with a glycoprotein called Intrinsic Factor (IF).

Intrinsic Factor is essential for your body to absorb Vitamin B12. If you can't absorb enough Vitamin B12 because antibodies are preventing Intrinsic Factor binding to B12 you are likely to have Pernicious Anaemia.

Our test requires a pin-prink blood sample taken safely and painlessly with the included tool. You then send your sample to our laboratory in a pre-paid envelope and your confidential results are returned within 10 working days.

£61.23

1 per pack

(Code: 2018)

What is Anaemia?

Anaemia occurs when there is a deficiency of red blood cells and not enough oxygen is circulated around the body. There are a number of different types of anaemia including the genetic sickle cell anaemia and iron deficiency anaemia.

The most common type of anaemia is Pernicious Anaemia (PA). This is an autoimmune disease that is caused due to a B12 deficiency. B12 deficiency is caused by a diet lacking in B12, or more commonly due to the lack of Intrinsic Factor (IF), a glycoprotein essential for the absorption of B12.

People with Pernicious Anaemia produce antibodies that block the binding of B12 to IF preventing vitamin B12 absorption.

What are the symptoms?

* Tiredness
* Difficulty in breathing
* Dizziness
* Headaches
* A reduced sense of taste
* A less sensitive sense of touch
* Pains in the legs including muscle spasm

Why test for Anaemia?

If left undiagnosed and untreated, PA can lead to damaging of the nervous system and has also been associated with cancer of the stomach.

How does the test work?

There are two types of IF antibodies; Type 1 IF antibodies interact with the binding site for vitamin B12 and therefore interfere with the binding of vitamin B12 to the IF in the stomach. Type 2 IF antibodies block the binding of both IF and vitamin B12-IF complexes to a specific receptor. Our Anaemia Test determines both types of autoantibodies to IF.

Treatment

If your results show a lack of Intrinsic Factor then you must discuss your results with your GP who will prescribe the appropriate treatment. A complete recovery is usually achievable by taking the necessary vitamins or B12 injections.

Sample requirements & test turnaround

The test requires just a pin-prick blood sample. Results are available within 10 working days.