Ordering RecommendationRecommendations when to order or not order the test. May include related or preferred tests.
Use to evaluate pernicious anemia or immune-mediated deficiency of vitamin B12 with or without megaloblastic anemia. Negative results do not rule out pernicious anemia.
ReportedExpected turnaround time for a result, beginning when ARUP has received the specimen.
1-3 days
New York DOH Approval StatusIndicates test has been approved by the New York State Department of Health.
This test is New York DOH approved.
Specimen Required
Patient Preparation
Collect
Serum separator tube.
Specimen Preparation
Separate serum from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection. Transfer 0.5 mL serum to an ARUP Standard Transport Tube. (Min: 0.25 mL)
Storage/Transport Temperature
Refrigerated.
Unacceptable Conditions
Urine or plasma. Contaminated, heat-inactivated, grossly hemolyzed, or severely lipemic specimens.
Remarks
Stability
After separation from cells: Ambient: 48 hours; Refrigerated: 2 weeks; Frozen: 1 year (avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles)
Reference IntervalNormal range/expected value(s) for a specific disease state. May also include abnormal ranges.
0.0-20.0 Units
Negative
20.1-24.9 Units
Equivocal
25.0 Units or greater
Positive
Interpretive DataBackground information for test. May include disease information, patient result explanation, recommendations, details of testing, associated diseases, explanation of possible patient results.
In the context of vitamin B12 deficiency, the presence of gastric parietal cell antibodies (PCA) and/or intrinsic factor antibodies in association with macrocytic anemia is considered diagnostic for pernicious anemia (PA). However, the presence of gastric PCAs alone is not specific for PA. Gastric PCAs may occur with increased frequency in unaffected family members, a small percentage of healthy individuals, and patients with other autoimmune diseases, such as autoimmune thyroiditis.
Compliance Category
FDA
NoteAdditional information related to the test.
Most patients with pernicious anemia have parietal cell antibodies. However, the fact that such antibodies are found with increased frequency in unaffected family members, as well as in patients with other autoimmune diseases, suggests these antibodies do not cause disease by themselves.
Hotline History
N/A
CPT CodesThe American Medical Association Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes published in ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory are provided for informational purposes only. The codes reflect our interpretation of CPT coding requirements based upon AMA guidelines published annually. CPT codes are provided only as guidance to assist clients with billing. ARUP strongly recommends that clients confirm CPT codes with their Medicare administrative contractor, as requirements may differ. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. ARUP Laboratories assumes no responsibility for billing errors due to reliance on the CPT codes published.
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.
AliasesOther names that describe the test. Synonyms.
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