Pernicious Anemia Panel Cost & Procedure

This test is used for detecting anti-intrinsic antibodies, methylmalonic acid ( MMA), and vitamin B12 and is also used to identify pernicious anemia in which vitamin B12 deficiency is the leading cause.

What is pernicious anemia

Pernicious Anemia is said to be a disease that is a cause of vitamin B12 deficiency. The autoimmune process is the leading cause of this deficiency in which a person is unable to produce a substance in the stomach which is known as an intrinsic factor.

Red blood cell production is possible because of Vitamin B12 absorption in the small intestine, and it allows function in the body.

Symptoms of pernicious anemia:

• Lethargy
•  Generalized weakness
•  Severe headache
• Angina
• weight loss
• pale skin

There are some neurological symptoms also:

• Numbness in arms and legs
• Muscle weakness
• Memory shrink
• Dementia
• Depression
• Unsteady gait

Average values of pernicious anemia

180-250 pg/ml are considered to be at borderline, while less than 150 pg/ml is a value that is considered to be diagnostic of vitamin B12 deficiency. Pernicious anemia patients usually have low serum cobalamin.

Methylmalonic acid (MMA)

The test measures the levels of methylmalonic acid in your blood or urine.

MMA is high in level if the vitamin B12 doesn't produce a sufficient quantity in your body. GH levels of Methylmalonic aciduria are the leading cause of vitamin B12. Many serious problems are caused by vitamin B12.

Method of the test

A blood sample is to be taken by health professionals from the vein in your arm using a syringe. The needle is I

Inpinched in the patients arm, and a required amount of blood is withdrawn. In newborn screening,  professionals will clean the baby's heel with an antiseptic agent and poke the heel with a small needle.

The outcome of the test

If the results show high levels of Methylmalonic acids, a patient has vitamin B12 deficiency or pernicious anemia. This test does not confconditionithe on or the situation of a defect. To ensure this thesis,t another test is to be done, which is a homocysteine blood test or vitamin B test