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ASMA

Also known as: Smooth Muscle Antibody (SMA), F-Actin Antibody
Formal name: Anti-Smooth Muscle Antibody and Anti-Actin Antibody
Related tests: Antinuclear antibody (ANA), Autoantibodies, Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Bilirubin, Antimitochondrial antibody (AMA)
Common Questions
  1. Will ASMA ever go away?
2. Can I have more than one cause of hepatitis?
3. How fast does autoimmune hepatitis progress?


1. Will ASMA ever go away? If it is due to a temporary condition, such as infectious mononucleosis, ASMA may drop below detectible levels once the condition has resolved. If ASMA is produced because of autoimmune hepatitis, then it will be present throughout the patient’s life, although levels may vary over time.



2. Can I have more than one cause of hepatitis? Yes. For instance, autoimmune hepatitis can co-exist with a viral hepatitis (such as hepatitis C) and can be exacerbated by liver damage caused by alcohol abuse. Since the treatment of hepatitis depends on the cause, it is very important that your doctor understand the underlying cause(s) of your condition.



3. How fast does autoimmune hepatitis progress? The course and severity of autoimmune hepatitis is hard to predict. It may be acute or chronic. Many patients will have no or few symptoms for many years and are diagnosed when routine liver tests are abnormal. For more information, consult with your doctor and see the related links.






This article was last reviewed on December 21, 2005.
 
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