Doctors can tell whether you have PBC on the basis of symptoms and blood tests.
Antibody test
Most people with PBC have something in their blood called antimitochondrial antibody (AMA). An antibody is a chemical made by the body to attack an ‘invader’. Though doctors are not really sure why, the presence of AMA in your blood is an important sign that you have PBC.
Liver function tests (LFTs)
This type of test is perfomred to gain an idea how the different parts of your liver are functioning. The Liver function tests are made up of a number of separate examinations, each looking at different properties of your blood.
In PBC, doctors will be looking for increased levels of both alkaline phosphatase (ALP), an enzyme released into the blood by damaged bile ducts, and the immunoglobulin IgM.
The liver enzymes alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) are also monitored, although these are a measure of any leakiness or damage relating primarily to liver cells rather than the bile duct cells.
Ultrasound scan
Ultrasounds are the same techonology used to confirm all is well in pregnancy. Gell will be applied to your skin, which may feel slilghtly cold, A probe, like a microphone, will be moved across your skin to send sound waves into the liver area. The reflected sound waves, or echoes, are picked up through the prove and used to build a screen image of the liver's condition.
This painless test is used to check the condition of the bile ducts and to rule out the possibility that your symtpoms could be a sign of a different liver problem.
Liver biopsy
If tests show you have PBC you may need a liver biopsy to see how serious the condition is.
During a liver biopsy a tiny piece of the liver is taken for study. A fine hollow needle is passed through the skin into the liver and a small sample of tissue is withdrawn.
The test is usually done under local anaesthetic and may mean an overnight stay in hospital, although some people may be allowed home later the same day. As the test can be uncomfortable and there is a very small risk of internal bleeding or bile leakage, a stay in bed of at least six to eight hours is required. Ask tyour doctor for more information on this.