|
Antiparietal cells antibodies |
| Definition: |
| A test that measures the presence of antibodies against gastric parietal cells. |
| Alternative Names: |
| APCA; Anti-gastric parietal cell antibodies |
| How the test is performed: |
| Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture). The sample is then taken to the lab, where the serum is separated from the cells. A sample of the serum is then placed on a slide with samples from a mouse kidney and stomach, which contain parietal cells. If the patient's serum has parietal cell antibodies, they will react with the parietal cells on the slide. |
| How to prepare for the test: |
| No special preparation is necessary. |
| Why the test is performed: |
| Your health care provider may use this test to aid in the diagnosis of pernicious anemia. Ninety percent of people with pernicious anemia test positive for antiparietal cell antibodies. |
| Normal Values: |
|
Negative. |
| What abnormal results mean: |
| A positive test result may indicate: |
| Special considerations: |
|
Less than 2% of the general population test positive for antiparietal cell antibodies, but that percentage increases with age. In people over 60, up to 16% may test positive for antiparietal cell antibodies. |
Reviewed By: Donna R. Cooper, M.D., M.P.H., Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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