Intrinsic Factor Antibody

Sample type:

• Serum.

Uses:

• To help diagnose pernicious anemia, the most common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency.

• Intrinsic factor is a protein produced by a type of specialized cells that line the stomach wall known as parietal cells. During digestion, stomach acids release vitamin B12 from food and bind to intrinsic factor to form a complex.

• The formation of this complex is necessary for the absorption of vitamin B12 in the small intestine.

Precautions:

• You should wait at least 48 hours after receiving a vitamin B12 injection to have a blood sample taken. Some health care providers may prefer not to draw a blood sample for the test within 2 weeks of an injection.

Interfering Factors:

• Some people with autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes, Hashimoto thyroiditis, Addison disease or graves disease may have IF antibodies without having pernicious anemia.

Pre analytical errors:

1. Inappropriate specimen received.

2. Unlabeled specimen or name discrepancy between specimen and request label;

3. Specimen received after prolonged delay (usually more than 72 hours);

4. Specimen received in expired transport container.

Corrective action:

1. Appropriate specimen received.

2. Labeled specimen and no name discrepancy between specimen and request label.

3. Specimen received without delay.

4. Specimen received in valid transport container.

Post analytical errors:

1. Failure in reporting.

2. Erroneous validation of analytical data.

3. Improper data entry.

Corrective action:

1. Write correct report.

2. All analytical data should be valid.

3. Proper data entry.

Reference range:

• 0.0−1.1 AU/mL