Pepsinogen 1
Pepsinogen 1 is the precursor of the protein-splitting enzyme pepsin. It is made by the chief cells of the stomach body; a small part enters the blood and is measured in serum.
What pepsinogen does in the body
In acidic gastric juice, pepsinogen is activated to pepsin, which breaks dietary protein into smaller pieces. The amount in the blood reflects how many chief cells the stomach lining has – and thus, indirectly, how capable it is.
Low pepsinogen 1 – what happens in the body?
A low value shows that fewer glandular cells are present in the stomach body, for example with shrinking of the lining (atrophic gastritis) after long-standing Helicobacter colonisation or with autoimmune inflammation of the stomach lining. Usually less stomach acid and pepsin are then produced too: protein is pre-digested less well, iron, calcium and vitamin B12 are absorbed less well, and more bacteria survive passage through the stomach.
High pepsinogen 1 – what does it mean?
Raised levels occur with active inflammation of the stomach lining, for example due to Helicobacter pylori, with increased acid production and while taking acid blockers (proton pump inhibitors). Reduced kidney function can also raise the value.
The interpretation is given in your report.
Also known as: pepsinogen, pepsinogen i, pg1, stomach lining
Contexts in which this value is measured
- Feeling of fullness
- Upper abdominal discomfort
- Iron deficiency
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
Analyses that include this value
There is currently no analysis in the shop for this value. A practitioner or doctor from the ORY expert network can tell you how else it can be determined.
View the expert networkReference ranges and how your personal value is to be read are set out in your findings report. You discuss the findings with a practitioner or doctor from the ORY expert network.