Mitochondrial (M2) Antibody Blood Test
A mitochondrial antibody test is used to determine the presence of mitochondrial antibodies which can be used in conjunction with clinical findings and other laboratory tests to aid in the diagnosis of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC).
Description
At Walk-in Lab, you can access top-quality blood testing kits at a fraction of the price you’d expect to pay through your doctor’s office. Now, our mitochondrial ab (antibody) blood test is available that can help your healthcare professional to detect the presence of specific antibodies that attack the mitochondria of your cells.
There are several reasons why this test may be ordered, including:
- To address the health concerns of those who may be suffering from, or showing symptoms of, advanced liver diseases or cirrhosis.
- To gauge whether the patient has health concerns of the liver and to narrow down the reasons for the liver issues. Some patients indicate thyroiditis, liver blockages, autoimmune hepatitis, or general cirrhosis of the liver. The test can help doctors pinpoint the actual cause and to differentiate between a host of contributing ailments.
- To determine the stage or progression of primary biliary cirrhosis.
- To detect anti-mitochondrial antibodies that can contribute to the body attacking its own cellular mitochondria. This specific test can help identify issues with the bile duct and the liver.
Our mitochondrial ab (antibody) blood test is often used by women who are between the ages of 35 and 60 – an age and gender group that is highly susceptible to hepatic issues like primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). This condition can cause serious scarring of the bile ducts inside the liver, as well as general inflammation of the local area. This is an autoimmune disorder that can be quite destructive to one’s lifestyle, as it causes the gradual degradation of the bile flow and eventually total blockage of the flow.