AMA test results

[Dwaffle16]

I am anxiously waiting for my appointment to discuss the possibility of PBC with a specialist on January 22. I am curious to know the specific AMA numbers of those with confirmed PBC. Please share your various AMA test results if you know them. Also the test I had says AMA (M2 EP). I’m not clear if this is any different/same as just AMA.

[mek4wlk]

Mitochondrial (M2) Antibody, IgG - 107

He originally said he wanted to do a biopsy and then he got these results back and said he didn't need to do a biopsy.

[Angel_b]

Hi, AMA m2 is specific for pbc. However not everyone that tests positive go on to have pbc. If found to be positive then the levels don’t give any idea on progression of disease. Mines were sitting at over 3000 and I’m at the early stages.

The problem with pbc is that every case is different and your doctor will need to look at the results from all blood tests and any scans/biopsy to establish a diagnosis.

Good luck at your appointment.

[badpiglet]

Hi Dwaffle,

Here's a link that might help you. If you're in the USA, there is a different version of the same site.

labtestsonline.org.uk/tests...

The following is taken from the site, 'The level of AMA is not related to the severity of PBC symptoms or to a patient’s prognosis.'

Because of this you will find that in different parts of the UK, they don't give you a number result when you're tested, they just tell you positive or negative. It is also why you may come across doctors who don't seem bothered about the level of AMA or AMA M2.

The AMA test is a broader, more general test. Within the AMA bracket there are more specific antigens (M1 - M9) that are associated with different diseases. AMA M2 is a more specific antigen for PBC. Many of us initially only have the AMA test and once that comes up as positive, the lab doing the tests then run more specific tests eg the AMA M2 test.

The only results that really can be compared are those who have been tested by the same lab, that use the same measuring scales and the same reference ranges. Even then a persons age, sex, medical history, medications being taken etc can affect results, so direct comparisons are difficult and can be misleading.

[Dwaffle16 in reply to badpiglet]

Thanks for the information. My test results came back equivocal. I was told the equivocal range was 20.1 to 24.9 and over 25 being positive. I then called the lab to see whether I was on the lower or upper end of equivocal. It was 24.3. My ALP has also been elevated for a year and a half but only mildly 150 - 165 (normal less than 115).

[Ballymahon2]

I think a positive ama m2 is indicitive of pbc thats my understsnding

[Ballymahon2]

I think a positive ama m2 along with elevated alk phos is indicitive of pbc thats my understanding

[Daisy1991]

Hi

I am AMA M2 positive but I don't have PBC as yet. My rhumatoigist found the antibodies when checking for other things.

I am now under a gastroenterologist who checks my liver once a year. I do not have elevated liver enzymes at the moment and my liver scan was normal.

My gastroenterologist said, I may never go on to get the disease but they keep a check on me incase I do.

[claygi]

To be clear, AMA is an antibody, not an antigen as someone mistakenly wrote above. This distinction is important , as an antigen is something that denotes genetic inheritance and an antibody , like AMA is something that develops as a response to a catalyst, usually a foreign introduced antigen.

However, in the case of PBC, it is an autoantibody, made in response to oneself, to ones small bile ducts in the liver. Specific white blood cells attack the bile duct cells causing damage. The AMA is a signal sent out by the human body to denote that this attack is underway.

I have tested positive for AMA multiple times. The first time in June 2016, at barely positive at 1:40, then in February 2017 it was 1:1,280, then last month it was 1:640. I have been told by my hepatologist at UCLA that titer levels are irrelevant. He also said that AMA-2 distinction is not necessary. If they see AMA period along with high ALP, etc, then they move to the diagnosis of PBC even without biopsy. I suppose each liver institute/Department has its own protocol, but that’s what happened to me, diagnosed with no biopsy. I also had high ALT/AST, GGT, and IgM and pain in my liver area.

[Dwaffle16 in reply to claygi]

One thing that confuses me a bit is when people say 1:40. Is that in someway different than my AMA result being plain 24.3. So the lab says above 25 is positive. Also does the elevated ALP level matter in terms of quantity. Mine has been 150 to 160. The lab reference is normal range below 115. My general practitioner said that that mild elevation doesn’t matter.

[claygi in reply to Dwaffle16]

When ratios are used it means that is a titer ratio, expressed as the inverse of the greatest dilution (in a serial dilution) that still gives a positive result.

Your AMA result is barely positive, but it is. Yes, ALP matters, the lower the number the better shape your liver is in, in general. Mild elevation does matter. The highest mine ever was 129. Elevated ALP and especially bilirubin is a sign of liver stress and possibly damage.

[Dwaffle16 in reply to claygi]

Thank you for explaining. My appointment to have it looked into with the AMA result and the elevated ALP is January 22. I will post what they say.

[gwillistexas]

My AMA M2 was high. ANA titer was 1:60, high. Plus ALP was high.