LKM Antibody Test

LKM or liver-kidney microsomal antibody is any of the various antibodies that are detected in the serum who suffer from different kinds of acute or chronic liver diseases. It is used if you have liver diseases that have unknown causes or if you are suffering from autoimmune hepatitis. The LKM antibody test is generally used along with smooth muscle antibody (SMA) and antinuclear antibodies (ANA). You may be asked by your doctor to undergo the test if he or she wants to find out the different causes of liver disease/injury. Also, if you have certain symptoms like jaundice, enlarged liver and weakness, your doctor will ask you to go through the test.

You do not need to prepare specifically for the LKM antibody test. You only need 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, make sure to wear half-sleeved T-shirt or shirt on the day when you go to give your blood sample for testing. This makes the process a lot convenient.

The results are usually available in a few days’ time. If the results show a high amount of anti-LKM 1, it may mean that you are suffering from Type 2 autoimmune hepatitis. To help confirm the diagnosis, your doctor may ask you to undergo a liver biopsy that checks the scarring and damage in the liver. If your results show a negative anti-LKM 1, but SMA and ANA tests are positive, it may mean that you have type 1 autoimmune hepatitis. However, if all are negative, it may be that your liver disease is not caused by autoimmune diseases. The possibility is, however, not ruled out as sometimes as not all people produce anti-LKM 1 or SNA antibodies.

For the test, your doctor will require your blood sample. The lab technician will first tie a plastic band on your upper arm to collect blood in the vein. He or she will then insert the needle take the blood from a vein in your arm and collect it in a vial or container. Pricking the needle and drawing blood is not painful. The sample collected will then be analysed.