Smooth Muscle Antibody : labtest

Why Get Tested?
To help diagnose chronic active autoimmune hepatitis and distinguish it from other causes of liver injury
When to Get Tested?
When a patient has hepatitis that the doctor suspects may be due to an autoimmune-related process
Sample Required?
A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm

How is it used?
The smooth muscle antibody (SMA) test is primarily ordered along with antinuclear antibodies (ANA) to help diagnose autoimmune hepatitis. Other autoantibodies, such as liver-kidney microsomal type 1 (LKM1) antibodies and antimitochondrial antibodies (AMA), may also be ordered to help diagnose autoimmune hepatitis and distinguish it from other causes of liver disease or injury.
The anti-actin test may sometimes be ordered as an initial screening test for autoimmune hepatitis instead of the SMA test. If it is positive, it may be followed by the SMA to confirm the finding. The anti-actin test is relatively new and, in some cases, is taking the place of the SMA test. The ultimate clinical utility of the anti-actin test has yet to be established.

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