autoimmune hepatitis

jmayk8 · Post by **jmayk8** » Fri Oct 19, 2012 6:23 am

I feel like this topic has been discussed before...
I went to a rhumey to follow up with my positive ana and he did some blood work and sound out I also had a postive SMA. He thinks I may have autoimmune hepatitis and wants me to follow up with my GI.
I don't think my liver enzymes were too elevated but, I know my bilirubin was slightly. Could it still be a posibility?
Thanks!
Jenny

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Fri Oct 19, 2012 10:50 am

Apparently we are not just sisters, we are twins separated at birth!!

I've had an elevated SMA (Smooth Muscle Antibody) for the last 8 years. It was discovered at the same time as my first elevated ANA, during my post-partum skin rash. My doctors now order the Anti-Actin antibody test every year, which is the same thing. Do you know what your level was? Mine are always in the 50's, which I think is pretty high.

I was getting liver enzymes checked (chem panel) every 6 months, but we dropped it to once a year, since they are always normal.
I also have elevated Rhematoid Factor (30's), but no signs of RA, so go figure.

Neither of these antibodies seem to be connected to my dermatomyositis-like rash, although one would think a muscle antibody would be linked. I've also wondered whether SMA/Anti-Actin might be linked to the gut wall damage done by MC. I think I found research to suggest this last year and posted about it.

My sister just got test results showing slightly elevated bilirubin. She asked for bloodwork because her palms and feet were itching all the time, a symptom she had when she had fatty liver or cholestasis of pregnancy. The level was close to the range, so the doctor said it wasn't an issue. Her ANA was also borderline normal at 40.

Does your doc seemed concerned? I'm living proof that this does not automatically mean AIH.

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Fri Oct 19, 2012 11:25 am

Here's my post with a poll. Apparently Dr. Fasano once believed Anti-Actin (SMA) was an indicator of mucosal damage in celiac disease. So notice it is not always a liver-specific antibody.

http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... =antiactin

There are other related posts (most by me!) if you search for "anti-actin" in the forum archives.

jmayk8 · Post by **jmayk8** » Fri Oct 19, 2012 6:36 pm

I called and spoke to a nurse and she said my SMA was 1:160 Does that sound right? That sounded more like my ANA. I called my GI and can't get in till December so I'm sure they will retest then. I'm always itchy and I have been noticing an abundance of small red dots all over especially my arms. The rheumy said they are tiny broken capillaries, a sign of AIH. So I guess I'll just wait and see what the GI says...
I am seriously so sick of this autoimmune crap!
Thanks for posting that link, I'll ck it out now
Jenny

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Fri Oct 19, 2012 7:40 pm

ASMA should be a single number, so I think she did give you the ANA. If you're waiting till December to be seen, at least call back to reconfirm your ANA and ASMA values.

My rash is getting worse, now on my buttocks, lower back and both forearms, in addition to the never-ending upper back and neck. I'm scratching my ass as we speak...
My cuticles and fingertips are getting gnarlier too- swollen, red, ragged edges. I'm hoping not to develop "mechanic hands", another sign of Dermatomyositis. Sigh.

My daughter has a fever and cough. Maybe I'll spend extra time with her to give my immune system something better to work on.

jmayk8 · Post by **jmayk8** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 7:29 pm

I'll have to call the rheumy and ask for a copy of my blood results. I'll let you know the numbers when I get them. I get a rash in the mornings always on the under part of my forearms. It's just when I wake up and start moving around. It doesn't itch and goes away fairly quickly..I have no idea what it is and every Dr I ask doesn't know either. The red dots I have are where I get the rash on my arms and I have a bunch in other places too. They don't itch either but, look like tiny blood colored pin pricks. I control my itching (scalp,legs, etc) by taking children's dye free Benadryl at night. My nails are yucky too- they have indented lines in them and just don't look healthy to me..

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 10:16 am

News on autoimmune hepatitis - they found the mechanism, but no underlying cause or way to address it.

http://www.privatemdlabs.com/blood-test ... 476708.php