PBC - is it likely?

[Fionna6669]

Hello, I wonder if anyone can give me an opinion as I've had 2 very different ones so far!

I am a 39yr old caucasian Scottish woman. I have hypothyroidism due to having surgery to remove a benign ademona 18 years ago. I began to get very tired earlier this year (about 6 months ago), so much so that I was sleeping most afternoons.   Three months ago I took sudden abdominal pain (RUQ) which resulted in my admission to hospital.  I had 2 ultrasounds which showed no gallstones and a chest CT which was ordered because my d-dimer was elevated and I had chest pains.  Chest CT was clear as was a gastrocopy.  My liver enzymes were significantly elevated (my ggt was 770). I also had a Mri-cholangiogram which was clear. The sporadic pain resolved within a week and I was discharged.  My GP took repeat lft's which returned to normal within 6 weeks, but one finding from the blood tests was that I had an Antimitochondrial result of 1:160.

My surgeon was adamant that I had not passed gallstones, he said that you would always have multiple stones if they were small enough to pass naturally and there was evidence of any others.  I visited a GI specialist this morning who said that he saw no evidence of liver disease since my lft's werenow  normal and he reckoned the positive Ama result was due to me having had an episode of obstruction from gallstones passing.

I've done my research (as you do) and the glaring answer to an Ama result of 1:160 is Primary Biliary Cirrhosis.  The Specialist has taken more bloods to recheck but I'm confused. (ASMA and ANA are negative)

Is it likely I have PBC without abnormal lft's?  I will have to wait 2-3 weeks for the results but I'm confused by 2 specialists having very different theories.  I am currently off ill from work because since my liver episode I have had pains in my hips, legs and ribcage and find it difficult to do my job safely (I'm a reg. nurse in Psychiatry).

Thank you for any thoughts.

[katie0415]

Hello,
I know that you posted this years ago but I am in the same position and was wondering how it turned out for you. My GI doctor recently drew some autoimmune labs on me because I have thyroid issues and my AMA came back positive at 48. I have completely normal liver function so at this time he is just rechecking every 6 months. He says I don't have PBC as long as liver function is normal but it has me freaked out! I also want to kn

ow if PBC is likely given the elevated AMA.

[Fionna6669]

repeated ama's were the same result, but GI specialist has discharged me with a letter saying he still didn't think there was a liver problem, but best to check my liver function annually.  Meantime my Vitamin D levels have come back as borderline low and my copper is about 10% over upper value.  My GP has agreed to refer me to a Hepatologist.