What a frustrating and exhausting situation — waiting 20 weeks while feeling this unwell is genuinely tough, and it's completely understandable to want answers and relief now.
An AMA titre of 1:300 is significantly elevated and, combined with your symptoms, is a strong indicator that something is going on with your liver Show Full Answer
What a frustrating and exhausting situation — waiting 20 weeks while feeling this unwell is genuinely tough, and it's completely understandable to want answers and relief now.
An AMA titre of 1:300 is significantly elevated and, combined with your symptoms, is a strong indicator that something is going on with your liver. However, a formal PBC diagnosis typically requires at least two of the following:
- Elevated ALP levels (at least 1.5x the upper limit of normal)
- AMA titre of 1:40 or higher
- A liver biopsy showing characteristic damage
Your titre clearly meets one of those criteria, but your GP would need to check your liver enzymes (especially ALP) before considering treatment. Here's what it would be worth doing right now:
- Go back to your GP urgently — your symptoms (nausea, inability to eat, constant rib pain) are not something to wait 20 weeks with. Push for an urgent or expedited hepatology referral based on how unwell you feel.
- Ask your GP to run liver enzyme tests (ALP, ALT, AST) if they haven't already — this helps build the picture.
- Ask about symptom management — your GP may be able to help with nausea and pain while you wait, even if they defer prescribing UDCA (the main PBC treatment) to a specialist.
- Document everything — write down all your symptoms, when they started, and how they're affecting your daily life. Bring this list to every appointment.
Prescribing UDCA is typically done by a hepatologist after a confirmed diagnosis, so your GP may be reluctant to start it — but that doesn't mean they can't help you feel better in the meantime. You are absolutely right to advocate for yourself here. Many people with PBC have had to push hard to be heard and taken seriously — you are not alone in that experience. Don't be afraid to be persistent. Your health matters, and 20 weeks is a long time to suffer without support.
May 24
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