Monitoring

According to European guidelines, autoimmune gastritis is considered a pre-cancerous condition despite heterogeneity of evidence, and surveillance is recommended every 3 years.[121]​​ However, although achlorhydria due to atrophic gastritis and/or autoimmune gastritis is associated with a small increased risk for gastric adenocarcinoma and carcinoid tumours, routine monitoring has not been recommended by the AGA guidelines.[39][62]​​​​[67][123]​​​[149][150][151]​​​ The physician should have a low index of suspicion for malignancy, and even minimal symptoms and signs warrant an upper endoscopy. Similarly, no follow-up testing is required, but it may be argued that full blood count should be periodically monitored, perhaps yearly, for early diagnosis of anaemia due to iron and/or cobalamin deficiency. Calcium and vitamin D deficiency may be monitored by periodic serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D as well as bone mineral density testing. Thyroid tests may be obtained.[152]

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