Schilling Test
Alternate Names : Vitamin B12 Absorption Test
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What do Abnormal Results Mean?
Low vitamin B12 levels can cause pernicious anemia. This can be caused by problems absorbing Vitamin B12 or not eating enough foods that contain Vitamin B12. Some other causes are removal of part of the stomach or the development of an antibody against intrinsic factor. If there is a problem with the stomach's ability to make intrinsic factor, Stage I of the test will be abnormal and Stage II will be normal. Both the Stage I and II Schilling tests will be abnormal in patients who have problems absorbing Vitamin B12 and intrinsic factor in the small intestine.
Abnormal Stage I and II Schilling tests may indicate:
Lower-than-normal amounts of Vitamin B12 absorption may indicate:
- biliary disease, resulting in malabsorption (inadequate absorption of nutrients from the intestinal tract)
- intestinal malabsorption (for example, related to sprue or celiac disease)
- liver disease (causing malabsorption)
- pernicious anemia
Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:
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