In pernicious anemia, the bone marrow cells that turn into blood cells are larger than normal. The samples are then examined under a microscope. For a biopsy, your doctor removes a small amount of bone marrow tissue through a larger needle. The two bone marrow tests are aspiration (as-pi-RA-shun) and biopsy.įor aspiration, your doctor removes a small amount of fluid bone marrow through a needle. These antibodies also are a sign of pernicious anemia.īone marrow tests can show whether your bone marrow is healthy and making enough red blood cells.
For intrinsic factor antibodies and parietal cell antibodies. High levels of these substances in your body are a sign of pernicious anemia. Your homocysteine and methylmalonic acid (MMA) levels. However, a falsely normal or high value of vitamin B12 in the blood may occur if antibodies interfere with the test. A low level of vitamin B12 in the blood indicates pernicious anemia. Your doctor may recommend other blood tests to check: Scientists are working to develop a more reliable test. Serum folate, iron, and iron-binding capacity tests also can help show whether you have pernicious anemia or another type of anemia.Īnother common test, called the Combined Binding Luminescence Test, sometimes gives false results. People who have pernicious anemia have low reticulocyte counts. The test shows whether your bone marrow is making red blood cells at the correct rate. If the CBC results confirm that you have anemia, you may need other blood tests to find out what type of anemia you have.Ī reticulocyte (re-TIK-u-lo-site) count measures the number of young red blood cells in your blood. In pernicious anemia, the red blood cells tend to be larger than normal. MCV can be a clue as to what's causing your anemia. MCV is a measure of the average size of your red blood cells. Abnormal results may be a sign of anemia, another blood disorder, an infection, or another condition.įinally, the CBC looks at mean corpuscular (kor-PUS-kyu-lar) volume (MCV). The CBC also checks the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets (PLATE-lets) in your blood. Your doctor can explain your test results to you. The normal range of these levels may be lower in certain racial and ethnic populations. A low level of hemoglobin or hematocrit is a sign of anemia. Hematocrit is a measure of how much space red blood cells take up in your blood. 
Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein that helps red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. For this test, a small amount of blood is drawn from a vein (usually in your arm) using a needle.Ī CBC checks your hemoglobin (HEE-muh-glow-bin) and hematocrit (hee-MAT-oh-crit) levels. This test measures many parts of your blood. Often, the first test used to diagnose many types of anemia is a complete blood count (CBC). Diagnostic Tests and Proceduresīlood tests and procedures can help diagnose pernicious anemia and find out what's causing it.
Your doctor may ask questions or do tests to check your mental status, coordination, and ability to walk. He or she may want to see how well your muscles, eyes, senses, and reflexes work. Your doctor also may check for signs of nerve damage. He or she may listen to your heart for rapid or irregular heartbeats or a heart murmur.
#NORMAL HCT LEVELS SKIN#
Research suggests a link may exist between these autoimmune disorders and pernicious anemia that's caused by an autoimmune response.ĭuring the physical exam, your doctor may check for pale or yellowish skin and an enlarged liver.
Whether you have a family history of autoimmune disorders (such as Addison's disease, type 1 diabetes, Graves' disease, or vitiligo). Whether you have a family history of anemia or pernicious anemia. About your diet and any medicines you take. Whether you have any digestive disorders, such as celiac disease or Crohn's disease. Whether you've had any stomach or intestinal surgeries. Your doctor may ask about your signs and symptoms. 
A gastroenterologist (digestive tract specialist). A hematologist (blood disease specialist). A neurologist (nervous system specialist). Other kinds of doctors also may be involved, including: Primary care doctors-such as family doctors, internists, and pediatricians (doctors who treat children)-often diagnose and treat pernicious anemia. He or she also will want to find out the severity of the condition, so it can be properly treated. Your doctor will want to find out whether the condition is due to a lack of intrinsic factor or another cause. Your doctor will diagnose pernicious anemia based on your medical and family histories, a physical exam, and test results.
0 kommentar(er)
