Question

The Schilling test is employed for diagnosing pernicious anemia. What is the primary purpose of the 24-hour urine collection in this test?

a) To assess renal function
b) To measure radioactive B12 absorption
c) To identify hematuria
d) To evaluate electrolyte balance

Answer 1

The 24-hour urine collection in the Schilling test is used to measure radioactive vitamin B12 absorption, which helps diagnose pernicious anemia.

Step-by-step explanation:

The primary purpose of the 24-hour urine collection in the Schilling test is (b) to measure radioactive B12 absorption. The test involves orally administering a dose of radioactive vitamin B12 and later collecting urine over a 24-hour period to measure the amount of vitamin B12 that is excreted. This method assesses the body's ability to absorb vitamin B12, which is crucial in diagnosing pernicious anemia, a condition where there's a deficiency in the production of intrinsic factor, affecting B12 absorption.