Ama positive negative m2

[Grizlay]

Hi,

I am male and have recently received a positive ama, but negative for ama-m2. I had the tests due to elevated AST after taking allouprinol. ALP is normal.

I have been referred to a specialist and I am waiting on some tests. I understand ama-m2 is specific to PBC, but what's the likely outcome for the generic AMA positive?

As far as I am aware, I'm showing no symptoms for PBC other than slight dizziness on occasion when standing up

[gillrich]

Hi I have pbc yes I hear about dizziness in pbc. Please get in touch with Pbcfoundation.org.uk they have all the up to date and accurate information for pbc and can offer you soo much support

[butterflyEi]

As I understand it for a diagnosis of PBC the ALP needs to be raised. I have pasted below an article from the UK_PBC Project which may be helpful to you. The PBC Foundation's web site has up to date useful information and is free to subscribe.

PBC is diagnosed using a combination of blood tests and, less frequently, liver biopsy.

In blood test terms the key features are cholestatic biochemistry (elevated alkaline phophatase and or gamma)-GT and PBC-specific autoantibodies (anti-mitochondrial antibody or anti-PDH on ELISA) or PBC-specific anti-nuclear antibodies.

On liver biopsy the diagnostic feature is the classical bile duct lesion typically seen in the context of liver granuloma.

When all three features (biochemistry, antibody and liver biopsy findings) are present the diagnosis is classified as “definite”. When two out of three are present (usually in the setting where biopsy has not been done) the diagnosis is regarded as “probable”. Elevated serum IgM levels are an additional useful feature (and very common in PBC) but don’t form part of the standard diagnostic combination.

UKPBC_Project Follow @UKPBC_Project

[gwillistexas in reply to butterflyEi]

I never realized elevated IgM was common with PBC. Mine has been elevated for a long time, which put me under the care of a hematologist but I have been told by his NP they are mainly watching a certain protein. Thanks for the info!

[JBH2000]

Hi Grizlay - my doctor watched my enzymes bounce around for 10 years, until the started steadily going up after the last few years. I’m AMA positive. The did do a biopsy on my liver- which confirmed PBC. I am on Urso to keep my enzymes in check. Some think PBC’ers should not get a biopsy - but it is a very easy procedure that gives you A LOT of useful information. They also found sarcoidosis- which is not life threatening, but I have to keep my eye on it that it doesn’t spread (once a year I get a chest X-ray). Don’t know if this helps, but it’s my story!!!