Marker group

Autoantibodies

Plain-English guides to the autoantibodies markers we measure and what your results mean, written to inform the conversation with your practitioner.

Markers in this group

Intrinsic Factor AntibodiesThis blood test looks for an antibody that can block your body from absorbing vitamin B12. Your gut needs a helper protein called intrinsic factor to take up B12; in a condition called pernicious anaemia the immune system blocks it, so B12 falls. A positive result points strongly to that cause, and is usually checked only when B12 is already low.

Reading results in this group

low

A low antibody level is the expected, reassuring finding.

Possible reasons:

A low or negative level is the expected finding in most people.

Next steps: No follow-up is usually needed.

in range

A negative result means no significant autoantibody was detected at the time of testing.

Possible reasons:

No significant autoantibody was detected at the time of testing.

Next steps: No follow-up is usually needed unless symptoms persist.

elevated

A raised autoantibody can reflect an immune response directed at the body's own tissue. It is interpreted by a health practitioner alongside your symptoms and other tests, not on its own.

Possible reasons:

An immune response directed at the body's own tissue is one possible reason, which a health practitioner would interpret.
Antibody levels can vary between laboratories and assays.

Next steps: Discuss with your GP, who can interpret this alongside your symptoms and other results.

Test your autoantibodies

NATA-accredited testing. Results in 2–5 days. No GP referral required.

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