Hi again.
I just did again the blood test for AMA at a different laboratory and now is negative....I was just given the accept to my GP for biopsy.. Of course I will wait now for other opinions. Now I will go back to the first laboratory to make it again and probably to another 5 laboratories and after that I will make statistics.....
Was anyone in my situation?
Different labs often produce different results. Have you also tested your ANA or SMA?
As an aside, often Urso can lead to a drop in AMA. That doesn't mean for a second that PBC is cured, though.
I wasn't diagnosticated yet because I didn't have other blood tests increased except ALT and AST. Only the first time I tested ANA and they said that I should repeat this one because it was quite unsure about the result (it was near the upper limit). Anyway the first laboratory is considered to be more trustworthy and there I was positive. As I understood both are sending the blood sample outside the country for this. Anyway I will go back to the first one and I will repeat the testsfor both AMA and ANA
Hello again spyOn.
I only had the bloods that you have mentioned that were increased above normal range and then when I saw the consultant for my first appointment late 2010 he took a GGT as well (apparently a gauge to liver inflammation, usually expected to be above normal range). But along with itching and at the time fatigue I was diagnosed with PBC alongside high titre of AMAs. I did have a scan several months prior which showed liver and surrounding organs to appear normal and the consultant said he could see clear bile ducts on it when I saw him.
I have my blood results in print out since 2010 and I noticed that depending on perhaps labs and also maybe who does, there are variations in how they have been done figurewise though they mean the same. But it is said that there can be a bit of variant between labs.
Helo spyOn.
I started itching early 2010. By December 2010 I'd been diagnosed with PBC due to blood levels, symptons and also it was found I had a high titre of AMAs. (I had ANA check same time, that was negative.)
I was led to believe that once we are diagnosed with PBC regardless of the AMAs we will still have PBC (until a cure is found). I've never had another check of the AMAs and in my opinion it would not change anything. Took some time to actually tell myself I was stuck with PBC. I thought that if I stopped itching and the bloods returned to normal I'd not have it but I still itch (though nothing like 2010) and my blood levels although less than they originally were they are still outside normal range.
Being in the UK and under the NHS unless a patient pays privately then I doubt rechecks of certain things in blood will be performed. Even biopsies are no longer used these days if a diagnosis of PBC can be obtained by other diagnostics as in my case. Biopsies are still done of course but it more than likely varies between Health Authorities in the UK and usually done if there is a doubt as to a diagnosis. I know now if I was asked to have a biopsy it would not change anything regarding treatment of PBC so to me a worthless procedure that at the same time carries certain risks.
Thank you peridot for your opinion. I also asked myself why to have a biopsy as long my ALP and GGT is in normal range and you cannot do anything regarding treatment. I understood that I will not start even with URSO if the LFT are in normal range. Beside that I don't think that help anybody to be diagnosticated nowadays (at least in Romania where you will not have any benefits from this). Anyway is still mystery for me and I will try to not think about it too much. I will try to keep my general condition strong, making sport, eating healthy food and will see what come next.
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