Tuesday's Tip: Most of us have had a + AMA... - PBC Foundation

PBC Foundation

9,472 members8,313 posts

Tuesday's Tip

DonnaBoll profile image
DonnaBollAdministrator
3 Replies

Most of us have had a + AMA blood test somewhere along the way to a diagnosis. Some of us find that our AMA test results have elevated and should we be concerned. In short, no, says Dr. Jones. He feels a + (positive) AMA does not necessarily play any part in actually causing the disease.

About 5% of those with PBC seem to not have a + AMA blood test. It can be + due to an infection and never go on to being PBC.

Our level of antibodies can go up or down as our immune response changes. An increase does not mean our immune injury is worse - or if it is less, that our immune response is lessened . This is the reason Dr. Jones feels the AMA does not need to be repeated once a PBC diagnosis is made.

I enourage all of you to get a copy of Dr. Jones' book. He is the leading expert on PBC worldwide.

PBC The Definitive Guide for Patients with Primary Biliary Cholangitis. It is available on Amazon.

Written by
DonnaBoll profile image
DonnaBoll
Administrator
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
3 Replies
butterflyEi profile image
butterflyEi

An excellent book.

DonnaBoll profile image
DonnaBollAdministrator in reply tobutterflyEi

for sure.. I wish they would give one to every PBC when the doctor makes that diagnosis. This is a real 'pipe dream' I know. Do you listen to him when he often speaks on Thursdays for the Q&A from The PBC Foundation? He is speaking tomorrow at 2pm UK time.

butterflyEi profile image
butterflyEi in reply toDonnaBoll

Yes I listen in most Thurday afternoons but when I miss I use the catch up services. Totally marvellous service from the PBC Foundation and their specialist s.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

My sister went for a blood test and came back with positive AMA of 80. All other tests were normal.

She went to a gastro and he said she doesn't have PBC but could develop it as she carries the gene...

Maybe NOT PBC......perhaps Nodular Regenerative Hyperplasia?

Friends... I had my appointment Monday at NIH, the National Institute of Health. For those of you...
JennyCville profile image

PBC and Life Expectancy

I read with interest the previous thread with a similar title and so I decided to start a separate...
PBCRobert profile image
Partner

Fluctuating AMA positive, normal LFTs, raised IgM and ANA

I've been doing the rounds of consultants and blood tests since I hopped on the AMA bandwagon...
Keren profile image

Specialist recommendations in U.K.

Hi, I have recently had blood test showing my ALP at 570 and a positive AMA with a titre of 1:160...
sylviaj profile image

Moderation team

See all
PBCCheryll profile image
PBCCheryllAdministrator
janethomas profile image
janethomasModerator
Cupcake1971_ profile image
Cupcake1971_Moderator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.