Chris Asher

[Casher77]

I have had Hep C for at least 8 years and known about it for about 4. I have yearly blood work done and every year everything comes back normal except for the fact that I have hep c. My VL is always relatively low (last test put it at 245,000). Liver function is and always has been normal and everything is within normal range.
      So, I got my last labs back today and everything is as it always is except this time I tested positive on the SMAS with a titer of 1:40. I’m kind of freaking out. I finally got approved for the new gen “cure” and am about to start it and this.
   I haven’t talked to my doc because I literally got these results 30 minutes ago, but I’m curious what this means. I know it’s a marker for AIH, but I’m seeing conflicting answers on whether or not HCV can cause a false positive. I’ve been tearing my hair out with worry for years waiting for next gen drugs that I could afford, finally got them, and I may have AIH?
   Has anyone else had this experience?

[mikesimon]

"Please Note:

    All samples that are positive for Smooth Muscle Antibodies (SMAs) are titred at 1:40, 1:80 and 1:160. This is requested by the laboratory.
    A low titre (1:40) Smooth Muscle Antibody (SMA) can often be associated with increased age, infection, malignancy, Primary Biliary Cirrhosis, Chronic Viral Hepatitis, and Alcoholic Chronic Hepatitis.
    A higher titre (1:80 and 1:160) Smooth Muscle Antibody (SMA) is often associated with Chronic Active Autoimmune Hepatitis....."

http://search.stjames.ie/Labmed/Info/Immunology/ExamTestName,24485,en.html

[flyinlynn]

Hummm never has those tests done first I have heard of them.

I had hep c for 37 years before I was cured 2.5 years ago with Harvoni my 5th treatment for hep c. I have been living with liver cirrhosis for the last 9.5 years. My cirrhosis was diagnosed with liver biopsy.

As far as I know I have never had those tests done.

Best of luck on treatment

[Clementine02]

I am not a doc but I don't think you have anything to worry about. Here are comments from a pathology lab.
       " Smooth muscle antibody measurements are useful in confirming the diagnosis of chronic active hepatitis (CAH). Titers generally range from 1:80-1:320 and persist for years."