Pathology | Eastern Health

Test & Collection Guide

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PLEASE NOTE: Recent changes have been made to this Test

Recent changes for Intrinsic Factor Antibodies

Date

Field

Changed From

Changed To

17th November 2025

Notes

For diagnosis of autoimmune Vitamin B₁₂ malabsorption (pernicious anaemia)

Result may be artefactually positive if patient tested within a week of Vitamin B₁₂ replacement therapy

A negative result does not exclude the diagnosis

Obtain before treatment with Vitamin B₁₂ is commenced

Intrinsic Factor Antibodies

Alternate names:

IF Ab, pernicious anaemia Ab

Laboratory:

Referred Test

Test Code:

IFAB

Specimen types:

Serum

Container types:

Serum tube with gel

Collection Instructions:

Transport specimen at Room Temperature to lab
Sample haemolysis may make this test unreportable

Minimum Adult Volume:

2 mL

Paediatric Minimum Volume:

1 mL

Notes:

For diagnosis of autoimmune Vitamin B₁₂ malabsorption (pernicious anaemia)

Result may be artefactually positive if patient tested within a week of Vitamin B₁₂ replacement therapy

A negative result does not exclude the diagnosis

Obtain before treatment with Vitamin B₁₂ is commenced

Frequency:

Weekly

Result Turnaround Time:

7-10 days

Reference Interval:

Negative: <=20 Units

Indeterminate: 21-24 Units

Positive: >=25 Units

Laboratory Use Only

If EMR is not available, Pathology results are available from Auscare. If you do not have an Auscare login,please complete attached form. https://pathology.easternhealth.org.au/handbook/downloads/Auscare%20user%20Form%20LIS.pdf

CLICK HERE for Consent form to perform tests not covered by Medicare

CLICK HERE for Minimum Labelling Requirements

For Microbiology Swab Collection https://pathology.easternhealth.org.au/handbook/downloads/microbiology/Microbiology%20Swab%20Specimen%20Collection.pdf

Printable Pathology request form https://pathology.easternhealth.org.au/handbook/downloads/2025%20A5%20referral%20slip_2%20pages.docx

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE PREFERRED ORDER OF DRAW

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