[Is Schilling test necessary for the etiological diagnosis of B12 insufficiency?].
In the following article a comparative evaluation of the tests used for the causative investigation of vitamin B(12) deficiency is presented. Although Schilling test since 2003 is not available in the market, it is considered the gold standard as a functional test of vitamin B(12) absorption, as it not only has a high specificity for the diagnosis of pernicious anaemia but also examines both gastric and intestinal stage of vitamin B(12) absorption. Consequently restoration of Schilling test in the clinical setting is necessary for the etiological diagnosis of B(12) insufficiency at least until a new and better vitamin B(12) absorption test is approved.
Mazokopakis
Elias E
EE
Iroon Polytechniu 38A, Chania 73 132, Crete, Greece. emazokopakis@yahoo.gr
Karefilakis
Christos M
CM
Giannopoulou
Charis
C