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Intrinsic factor (IF) antibody

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Intrinsic factor antibodies in serum:

  • positive in 50-60% of patients with pernicious anaemia (1)
  • the presence of intrinsic factor is virtually diagnostic of pernicious anaemia but negative intrinsic factor antibodies do not exclude pernicious anaemia (1,2)
    • gastric parietal cell antibodies are seen in 95% of cases of pernicious anaemia - note that although there is an overlap with other autoimmune diseases (and with normal individuals) a negative result makes pernicious anaemia unlikely (1)

Reference:

  1. Pulse 2004; 64(35):88.
  2. Lindenbaum J. Status of laboratory testing in the diagnosis of megaloblastic anemia. Blood 1983;61 (4):624-627.

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