Full Name

Anti-Mitochondrial Antibody (AMA) Test

Sample Type

Blood (Serum)

Fasting Required

❌ No

Method

Indirect Immunofluorescence (IFA) or ELISA

Liver (bile ducts)

Autoantibodies target the small intrahepatic bile ducts, leading to progressive liver damage

Immune System

Produces AMAs in an autoimmune response against mitochondrial antigens

✅ Diagnose Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC)

Present in ~90–95% of patients with PBC

📈 Monitor liver-related autoimmune disease

Tracks progression alongside liver function tests

❓ Investigate unexplained elevated ALP

Especially in middle-aged women with fatigue or pruritus

🔍 Screen for autoimmune liver diseases

Part of extended liver autoantibody panels

Liver Function Test (LFT)

Checks liver enzymes like ALP, ALT, AST, and bilirubin

Antinuclear Antibody (ANA)

Co-existing autoimmune liver diseases may show positive ANA

Anti-Smooth Muscle Antibodies (ASMA)

Helps distinguish autoimmune hepatitis vs PBC

IgM Levels

Often elevated in PBC

AMA-M2 (Subtype Test)

Specific test for AMA-M2, most closely linked with PBC

FibroScan or Liver Biopsy

To assess liver fibrosis or confirm diagnosis

Positive AMA

Strong indicator of Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC)

Negative AMA

Does not rule out liver disease; further testing may still be needed

Sample Type

Serum (blood)

Fasting Required

❌ No

Primary Use

Diagnose Primary Biliary Cholangitis

Associated Organ

Liver (intrahepatic bile ducts)

Positive Result Means

High likelihood of autoimmune liver disease (PBC)