Diagnosis to Myasthenia Gravis

Dear doctor,
I am a woman , 47 years old. I have weakness in my eyes muscles. M y eyes doctor sent me to do some tests to Myasthenia Gravis. The blood test result to antibodies to the acetylcholine receptor
was 0.2.
I should do also the Single Fibre EMG.
My questions are:
Is there a normal account to antibodies to the acetylcholine receptor? Or a healthy man or women don't have acetylcholine antibody at all? What does it mean 0.2 ? Is there another possible reason to have 0.2 antibody acetylcholine?
The second question:
Is the Single Fibre EMG fiber is a painful test and is it possible that it will cause any damage of any kind?
Thanks in advance
Rachel

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

I understand your concern.  The diagnosis of myasthenia gravis takes into account the entire constellation of signs and symptoms (maybe similar to what you are experiencing now) and the antibody levels may just support the diagnosis.  The laboratory report of 0.2 may not mean much if there are no units of measurement and this should also be accompanied by a range of normal values.  I suggest that you ask from the laboratory regarding the units and the normal values so that we would know if it is truly elevated or not.  The single fiber EMG is one of the best test for Myasthenia and will involve insertion of a needle probe in a muscle which can cause some but tolerable pain.  Other tests would include Tensilon test and I suggest you discuss this with your doctors.

I hope all the tests can be done with minimal discomfort as possible.  Regards and God bless.

[Rachel349]

Thank you very much!