LC 1 Antibody Liver Cytosolic Antigen Type-1 Test

Liver Cytosolic Antigen Type 1 (LC 1) can be detected if you have autoimmune hepatitis type 2. LC 1 is a serological marker for type 2 autoimmune hepatitis B. Hepatitis B can lead to progressive liver damage.

You do not need to prepare specifically for the test. You have to make sure that you have gathered all the information from your doctor and are well aware of the process and the medications. Apart from this, your doctor would also like to know the medicines or supplements you take as certain medications can affect the test. Depending on your conditions, your doctor would advise the best course of action for you.

The test results are usually available in a few days’ time. If the level of anti LC1 antibody is high, it may mean that you have autoimmune hepatitis B. The result, however, is not definite and a liver biopsy may be required to help confirm the diagnose. If the level of anti LC1 is negative, it may mean that you do not have Hepatitis B, however, the possibility is not entirely ruled out.

For the test, your doctor or lab technician will place a plastic band on your upper arm; this is done to fill up the vein with blood and swell up. Then, he or she will clean the area with an antiseptic and put a needle. He will then draw a blood and keep it in a vial or tube. The plastic band and needle are removed and a bandage is applied to the area to stop the bleeding. The whole process usually takes a few minutes. The collected blood is then sent to the lab for analysis.