Autoimmune liver disease panel

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Autoimmune liver disease panel

Definition:

An autoimmune liver disease panel is a series of tests performed when autoimmune liver disease is suspected. These tests include anti-smooth muscle antibodies, anti-mitochondrial antibodies, and anti-nuclear antibodies.

Alternative Names:
Liver disease test panel - autoimmune
How the test is performed:

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Blood is drawn from a vein on the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic, and an elastic band is placed around the upper arm to apply pressure and restrict blood flow through the vein. This causes veins below the band to fill with blood.

A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. During the procedure, the band is removed to restore circulation. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.

For an infant or small child, the area is cleansed with antiseptic and punctured with a sharp needle or a lancet. The blood may be collected in a pipette (small glass tube), on a slide, onto a test strip, or into a small container. Cotton or a bandage may be applied to the puncture site if there is any continued bleeding.

The specimen is then sent to the laboratory for evaluation.

How to prepare for the test:

No special preparation is necessary for this test.

For infants and children:

The preparation you can provide for this test depends on your child's age and experience. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics:

Infant test or procedure preparation (birth to 1 year)
Toddler test or procedure preparation (1 to 3 years)
Preschooler test or procedure preparation (3 to 6 years)
Schoolage test or procedure preparation (6 to 12 years)
Adolescent test or procedure preparation (12 to 18 years)

How the test will feel:

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.

Why the test is performed:

Autoimmune disorders, in which cells from the immune system attack certain tissues and/or organs, are one possible cause of liver disease. This group of tests assists your health care provider in the diagnosis of liver disease (see hepatitis).