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Not yet spoken to my doctor or seen a herpetologist. Only just received the AMA result. Not taking any PBC medication

March 29, 2025
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To be diagnosed with PBC, you need to meet at least two of three criteria: elevated ALP levels (1.5x above normal), positive AMA with a titer of 1:40 or higher, or a liver biopsy showing PBC-related damage. Since your ALP is normal but you're AMA positive, a liver biopsy might be needed to confirm your diagnosis.

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To be diagnosed with PBC, you need to meet at least two of three criteria: elevated ALP levels (1.5x above normal), positive AMA with a titer of 1:40 or higher, or a liver biopsy showing PBC-related damage. Since your ALP is normal but you're AMA positive, a liver biopsy might be needed to confirm your diagnosis.

The next step would be to schedule an appointment with a hepatologist (liver specialist) who can evaluate your complete situation, including your elevated GGT levels, and determine if a biopsy is necessary. While about 95% of people with PBC have positive AMA results, this alone isn't enough for a definitive diagnosis. Your doctor may also order additional imaging tests like an abdominal ultrasound before deciding if a biopsy is needed. Remember that a biopsy can be helpful not just for diagnosis but also for determining the extent of any liver damage and helping guide treatment decisions.

March 29, 2025

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