Individual test · Labcorp 006486

Antiparietal Cell Antibody (APCA)

This test measures antibodies that attack parietal cells, which are specific cells in the stomach lining that help the body absorb vitamin B12. It helps show whether the immune system is damaging the stomach's ability to process nutrients, which is often the cause of vitamin B12 deficiency and anemia. Doctors use these results to help evaluate for pernicious anemia, an autoimmune condition that prevents proper B12 absorption. However, the presence of these antibodies does not confirm a diagnosis on its own, as they can also appear in people with thyroid disease or other autoimmune disorders.