Is low levels of gastrin 17 indicative of atrophic gastritis?

Low levels of gastrin 17 may be one of the indicators of atrophic gastritis, but it is not the only diagnostic basis. The decrease in gastrin 17 levels is usually related to factors such as gastric mucosal atrophy, Helicobacter pylori infection, and long-term use of acid suppressive drugs. It needs to be diagnosed in conjunction with gastroscopy and pathological examination. Gastrin-17 is secreted by G cells in the gastric antrum, and a decrease in its level often indicates atrophy of the gastric antral mucosa. Patients with atrophic gastritis may experience a decrease in gastric acid secretion, which weakens the feedback stimulation of gastrin release and may lead to a lower level of gastrin-17. But other conditions such as Helicobacter pylori infection can inhibit G cell function, and long-term use of proton pump inhibitors can also reduce gastrin levels. Clinical diagnosis requires observation of mucosal changes through gastroscopy and histopathological evaluation to determine the presence of typical manifestations such as glandular atrophy and intestinal metaplasia. A small number of patients with non atrophic gastritis may also experience mild reduction of gastrin-17, such as early autoimmune gastritis or functional dyspepsia. In addition, factors such as differences in laboratory testing methods and individual physiological fluctuations may affect the interpretation of results. If low levels of gastrin 17 are found during examination, further investigation should be conducted to determine if there are any gastric mucosal lesions, rather than directly equating it with atrophic gastritis.

It is recommended that patients complete auxiliary tests such as carbon-13 breath test and pepsinogen detection, avoid spicy and stimulating diets in daily life, and have regular meals. After being diagnosed with atrophic gastritis, regular follow-up gastroscopy is required to monitor the progression of the disease.