anti-mitochondrial antibody
This is the antibody seen in PBC. There is no evidence of it doing any harm to us. in and of itself. They are simply known to be a very good indication of someone having PBC.
The combination of the presence of a +AMA plus having elevated alkaline phosphatase is about 95% accurate for diagnosing PBC according to Dr. Jones.
Up to 10% of PBC patients have a negative AMA marker.
Donna,
I found it interesting that there are 10% of people who test negative for AMA as one of my family members was recently tested for AMA and was negative and now the GI doctor is suggesting a liver biopsy as her liver enzymes although mildly elevated, have been running high for at least the past few years (mainly the alk phos) along with a positive ANA, high ggt, and elevated IgG but she also has an autoimmune condition (sjogrens syndrome). GI doctor thinks it might be autoimmune hepatitis. Is a liver biopsy the only route to determine whether she has pbc vs. AIH? I was just wondering if there are other blood tests that could determine that vs. having to go through an invasive procedure. As I was reading somewhere about a other blood tests called anti-SP210 and anti-SP100 for PBC?
To my knowledge, a biopsy is the only way to diagnose overlap (AIH). If he didn't suspect that, I would suggest maybe just to keep doing the liver panel labs every 3-6 months and see what they do over time. Often, it is a waiting game for a definitive PBC diagnosis. They are trying to get docs to get away from doing liver biopsies just to diagnose PBC. It was, in my time of being diagnosed back in the 80's, that was the only way to diagnose PBC. If everyone would only think about the fact that a biopsy only takes 1/50,000 portion of the entire liver. If the biopsy isn't taken from the 'right' spot, it could clearly miss the portion of the liver that is affected by PBC. A anti-SP210 blood test (if positive) can be highly suggestive of PBC. A negative result doesn't rule it out. The results of +/ - SP100 are the same as for the SP210. I hope your family member does his/her homework. Do you have a copy of Dr Jones' book? Some docs do start their patients on Urso with just the + AMA. This can't do any harm and may prevent some future liver damage in the meantime. I hope this helps...
Donna,
Thank you for your quick reply. I will have to check into getting Dr. Jones' book. The GI dr did not order the sp100 or 210 but did check her AMA which was negative but her ANA, GGT, F Actin (SMA) were positive and he is thinking AIH but not sure if family member wants to proceed with a biopsy unless more blood work is done. Will have to do some more research for sure!
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