Not sure!!

[Joel31]

I've had terrible fatigue and nausea for 9 months. Have been taking Thyroxine for 25 yrs (am 68 now) and levels are normal . Gp been fantastic and did more and more tests until AMA said PBC. Referred to gastroenterologist . Had Abdo scan. LFT's normal. Gastroenterologist says I don't have PBC. He did a gastroscopy and took a biopsy of small intestine ? Jejunum. Waiting results. Any ideas folks?

[GrittyReads]

AMAs - alone - are not enough for a diagnosis of PBC, especially if your liver function tests (lfts) are all good. However, your symptoms are of concern, so they should keep monitoring you. To fully check for PBC you would need to have a biopsy of the liver. If this does not happen, insist on a test of the lfts regularly, and that they try to resolve the cause of the symptoms. Someone (like myself) with long term AMAs only needs an annual check of lfts, but if they have only just been noted I would expect you to have lfts checked every few months, as well as more attempts to sort out and explain your symptoms.

Hope this helps and that you get some concrete news soon. If it should prove to be PBC, it is not a dread condition, and most people lead normal lives on the medication, with new developments constantly appearing.

Try not to worry, but do talk to the advisors at the PBC Foundation for more more advice. Link to their website at top of page.

Take care

[Joel31 in reply to GrittyReads]

Thanks !