Positive AMA 2 years ago no PBC symptoms

[ELOE]

Hi Everyone,

I am 31 years old. I did that test 2 years ago by accident, it was randomly checked. I repeated the test and still positive, My LF was normal, MRI showed no liver scarring. however, last month my liver enzymes were dramatically elevated and experienced gallstone pain, I had a surgery to remove the gallbladder. is this a sign that I am developing PBC symptoms? doctors in the hospital didn't give me a clue even though I disclosed that fact to them, they just diagnosed my condition as an obstruction in the gallbladder and I removed it.

now I am recovered from the surgery, I am not sure where to start to find out if I actually have/developing PBC

Thanks!

[ninjagirlwebb]

Might not be pbc; gallstones can cause elevated LFT’s. Have the GP monitor you; your numbers should go back to normal. If it doesn’t in a few months, pursue it with a hepatologist. They will know how to test & diagnose. Other blood markers to look for: alk phos, immuglobin g, m, ggt, bilirubin.

Haley

[Ballymahon2]

Get your primary doctor to refer you to a hepatologist

[GrittyReads]

Hi Eloe,

Some people 'just' have AMAs, and never get PBC. Blood Donor stats in the UK show that about 8% of their donors have AMAs, but only 2% of those ever go on to develop PBC = a tiny proportion. Also, it's been known I have AMAs since 1992, and still no signs or symptoms of PBC, but I do have annual liver function tests - always fine. Anyone with AMAs - but no other indications of PBC - should have lfts tested annually.

As Ninjagirl says, other liver/hormone disturbances also affect our lfts (pregnancy is another example), So I would agree with her and have your GP monitor you over the next few months. Do check what it says on the 'PBC Foundation' website - see PBC Robert's 3 links to the right hand side above. they are a fount of all latest info on PBC and have all the correct info on the official diagnostic procedure, as well as all signs and symptoms to look for.

Hope this helps, take care - and don't worry, de-stress - meanwhile, treat yourself, spoil yourself - in a healthy way!!

Gritty

[ELOE in reply to GrittyReads]

This is very helpful thank you very much!

[donna01]

Hi ELOE,

I had my gallbladder removed due to gallstones and my liver enzymes were all normal until they took my gallbladder out. 1 month later at check up, I had elevated LFT'S and PBC was then discovered. They say it attacked my gallbladder first! I was thinking them taking my gallbladder caused PBC. Are you having gallbladder attacks?

[ELOE in reply to donna01]

Hi Donna, I think you're right, I shouldve asked the surgeon what type of gallstone, if it was Pigment gallstones, that a proof issues with the bile.

[Jen11804]

From my understanding if you test positive for AMA you have pbc. My gasteontold nw that is a true sign to show you have it. My sister got tested and it came back positive she has itching and nothing else. She isn’t on medication and has no symptoms other than itch.

My Gasteoenterologist told me it’s onky a matter of time before she experiences other things and said if she was his patient she would be started on urso

[ELOE]

Thank you for the reply. I guess I will keep testing the liver function, 1 month post the surgey my blood work was fine. Untill then I will watch for syptoms.