Tuesday's Tip

[DonnaBoll]

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.

[butterflyEi]

An excellent book.

[DonnaBoll Administrator in reply to butterflyEi]

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 in reply to DonnaBoll]

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.