SCHILLING TEST Meaning and
Definition
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The Schilling Test is a diagnostic procedure used to evaluate a patient's ability to absorb vitamin B12 from the gastrointestinal tract. It is primarily performed in cases suspected of pernicious anemia or other conditions resulting in vitamin B12 deficiency.
During the Schilling Test, the patient is first given a small dose of radiolabeled vitamin B12 orally. The radiolabel allows the subsequent tracking of the vitamin B12 through the body. Following this, the patient receives a separate dose of non-radioactive vitamin B12, often in the form of intramuscular injection, or combined with intrinsic factor, a substance essential for vitamin B12 absorption.
If the patient absorbs the vitamin B12 correctly, a significant amount of the radiolabeled B12 will be excreted in the urine over the next 24 hours. However, if there is malabsorption of the vitamin B12, the radiolabeled B12 will be detected in the feces rather than the urine. This indicates impaired absorption of vitamin B12, suggesting underlying pernicious anemia or other absorption disorders.
The Schilling Test helps physicians determine the cause of a patient's vitamin B12 deficiency, as it can differentiate between malabsorption due to pernicious anemia and other causes like lack of intrinsic factor production or gastrointestinal disorders. This test is often used as an adjunct to establish the best treatment options for patients with vitamin B12 deficiency.
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Etymology of SCHILLING TEST
The word "Schilling test" is named after the American physician, Dr. Robert Frederick Schilling. The test was developed by Dr. Schilling in the 1950s as a diagnostic tool for pernicious anemia, a condition characterized by the inability to absorb vitamin B12 from the gastrointestinal tract. This test measures the absorption of radioactive vitamin B12 and is known as the "Schilling test" in honor of its inventor.
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