Definition

The mitochondria create energy for the cells in your body to use. They’re critical to the normal functioning of all cells.

Antimitochondrial antibodies (AMAs) are an example of an autoimmune response that occurs when the body turns against its own cells, tissues, and organs. When this happens, the immune system attacks the body as though it were an infection.

The AMA test identifies elevated levels of these antibodies in your blood. The test is most often used to detect an autoimmune condition known as primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), previously known as primary biliary cirrhosis.

Indications

The AMA test is ordered when a healthcare practitioner suspects that someone has an autoimmune disorder such as PBC that is affecting the liver. A person may have symptoms that include:

• Itching (pruritus)
• Jaundice
• Fatigue
• Abdominal pain
• Enlarged liver

Contraindication

There are no contraindications or conditions that prevent a person from examining AMA and ASMA test.

Preparations Before Examination

There is no special preparation before performing the Antimtochondrial Antibody (AMA) and Anti Smooth Muscle Antibody (ASMA) examination with the Indirect Immunofluorescence (IF) method. This examination does not require you to fast beforehand unless you also have other examinations that require you to fast beforehand.

You may consult your doctor regarding any medications you are taking prior to the test. Inform your doctor if you have certain conditions before the test such as menstruation, pregnancy or other medical conditions. There is no special preparation before performing the Antimtochondrial Antibody (AMA) and Anti Smooth Muscle Antibody (ASMA) with Indirect Immunofluorescence (IF) method. This examination does not require you to fast beforehand unless you also have other examinations that require you to fast beforehand.

You may consult your doctor regarding any medications you are taking prior to the test. Inform your doctor if you have certain conditions before the test such as menstruation, pregnancy or other medical conditions. Discuss with your doctor the routine medications you are taking and those that need to be stopped before the test.

Examination Procedures

Antimitochondrial Antibody (AMA) and Anti Smooth Muscle Antibody (ASMA) test with Indirect Immunofluorescence (IF) method is a simple blood test with a blood sample. The lab staff will clean your arm with an alcohol swab and draw a small amount of your blood from a vein in your arm using a sterile syringe. You will likely feel moderate pain during the needle insertion process or when your blood is drawn. You may feel a prickling or burning sensation. Relax your arm to reduce the pain. In infants, blood is drawn at the heel.

The blood will then be put into a blood tube and examined by the laboratory staff on a special machine. When they have finished taking the blood sample, you will need to apply pressure to the area to prevent bruising or swelling. The risks of a blood test are very small. Some people feel pain, dizziness and bruising during the blood draw. However, this usually goes away quickly.

Normal And Abnormal Values

The result of the examination is indicated by a positive or negative value.

In normal values, both AMA and ASMA tests show negative values and abnormal values show positive values.

Results and Suggestions (Continued Inspection)

A high AMA level (titer) in the blood indicates that the most likely cause of symptoms and/or liver damage is PBC. The level of AMA is not related to the severity of PBC symptoms or to a person’s prognosis.

A negative AMAmeans that it is likely that a person’s symptoms are due to something other than PBC, but the result does not rule out the condition.

In ASMA test result mean, a positive that you have autoimmune hepatitis type 1 in your blood sample. However, this test cannot be used as a basis for diagnosis. Your doctor will recommend a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.

A positive SMA test result means SMAs were found in your blood sample:

• High levels of SMAs often mean you have type 1 autoimmune hepatitis. But this test can't diagnose the disease. If you have high levels of both SMAs and ANAs, your provider may suggest a biopsy to remove a small sample of liver tissue for testing. The results of a biopsy can confirm whether you have autoimmune hepatitis.
• SMAs that are somewhat high may be a sign of other conditions, including:
  • Primary biliary cholangitis, an autoimmune disease that damages the bile ducts (tubes) in your liver
  • Hepatitis C
  • Certain types of cancer

A negative SMA test result means SMAs were not found in your blood sample. You're unlikely to have type 1 autoimmune hepatitis.

Consult To The Right Doctor

If the results of your Antimitochondrial Antibody (AMA) and Anti Smooth Muscle Antibody (ASMA) with Indirect Immunofluorescence (IF) method show abnormal results, you can consult an internist for diagnosis, further examination and appropriate therapy. Your doctor may suggest additional and further tests regarding what tests need to be done before confirming the diagnosis.

Want to know information about the results of laboratory examinations, radiology, and others? Check here, yes!