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Posted 11/18/2010 8:43 PM (GMT 0)
It doesn't seems as if there has been anyone on here for awhile. I hope someone may know what I am talking about. I am not diagnosed with PBC but I have tested positive for AMA and it is the M2 Antibody. has anyone ever heard of a person having a positive M@ Antibody and not having PBC? I have just recieved a diagnosis of Adult-Onset Still's Disease and now I was told I may have this as well. I've tried to look it up on-line but I'm just not sure if the M2 antibody is the definitive word. I am only 25yrs old. I had a high AST/ALT plus low total protein low RBC and i had blood and protein in a urinalysis. this is why my Dr. tested for it.
Posted 11/18/2010 9:11 PM (GMT 0)

Hi, Jalee, and welcome to the forum.  I am in and out of here all afternoon and evening most every day.

Unfortunately, I don't have the information you seek.  However, we do have a member (Dany) with AIH who is very knowledgeable about AIH, PBC, etc., and labs.  I will alert her to your post.  We also have a couple of members with PBC and other rare disorders.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 11/18/2010 9:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jalee,

Not sure I can help but from some of what I read online, the AMA is used as a diagnostic indicator of PBC.  One Dr. wrote that there is about 2% of patients who have a positive reading and do not have PBC.  Why did they say they were not diagnosing you with PBC if your results were positive, have you asked?  Are your other LFT's (liver function tests: bilirubin, Alk Phos) elevated as well as your ALT/AST?  Did you see a hepatologist or were the tests ordered by your regular doctor?  If you haven't seen a hepatologist yet, then you should ask for a refferal.  They may schedule a liver biopsy to confirm and check for what type of damage you have, if any or at least try to figure out why your ALT/AST are elevated (how high were they).  Are you scheduled to have a follow up blood test?

Are they looking any deeper as to why you are anemic, have low total protein and have blood and protein in your urine or was it a trace amount?

Again, double check with your doctor and if you aren't comfortable with what they say, ask for a refferal to a specialist.

Posted 11/18/2010 10:12 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the help. I thought at first this was a PBC forum. Because that is what I had searched for...lol. I have an auto-immune disease called AOSD Adult-Onset Still's Disease. My rheumatologist is who took the liver tests. While Still's Disease is systemic disease it can affect all joints, skin, organs. It's kind of like Lupus but it is related with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. She tested me for a few different titers from AMA to ANA to anti-smooth. And i tested positive for the AMA which indicates PBC especially if it is the M2 titer which is specific for PBC. It was my Rheumatologist that ordered the test and she told me she couldn't say if I had it or didn't and referred me to a GI. However originally could not get in till Jan. 11th. i was able to get an appt. for Dec 14th now. But from all I have read M2 is fairly a definitive diagnosis. And this has come out of left field for me. I had high AST/ALT but my Alk phos. is always low or just normal and I have quite a few tests. But someone said there dr. told them that not everybody has an elevated alk phos. and i also am Vit D def. and perhaps betweeen this and my AOSD it out does the PBC i'm not really sure.
Posted 11/18/2010 10:13 PM (GMT 0)
thanks for letting the other member know hep93
Posted 11/18/2010 10:53 PM (GMT 0)

You're very welcome, Jalee.  I think Dany gave you some very good questions as a starting point when you see the GI doc.  Glad to hear that you got a sooner appt.!

Hugs,

Connie

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