What does ALKM mean in BRITISH MEDICINE

ALKM stands for Anti-Liver-Kidney Microsomal antibody. This is a type of antibody found in the blood that signals that the liver and kidneys may be having difficulty functioning properly.

High levels of ALKM can indicate an underlying illness such as viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, or autoimmune hepatitis. Other conditions including Sjogren’s syndromeand systemic lupus also cause higher ALKM levels.

For diagnosing possible liver disorders, doctors usually rely on a combination of laboratory tests such as liver function tests (LFT) and an analysis of the results from an Anti-Liver-Kidney Microsomal antibody test (ALKM). The sample is typically taken from your blood work.

Testing for ALKM is generally safe. There are no known risks associated with having this type of blood test performed. That being said, it’s important to follow all instructions provided by your doctor or medical professional closely before and after the procedure.

Along with testing for ALKM antibodies, doctors may also order serologic assays for liver damage to assess how much damage has been done to the organ. Other tests to obtain further information about possible underlying conditions may include ultrasounds and CT scans as well as biopsies of tissue samples taken from the liver or kidney area.

If high levels are detected through a blood test, doctors will usually prescribe additional testing and monitoring to determine what treatment options are best for you based on your specific condition and health history. In some cases medications can be used to help reduce inflammation in these organs caused by infection or autoimmune disease while others require more extensive treatment such as surgery or a transplant operation.

It depends on your individual situation and medical history, but most adults should have their anti-liver-kidney microsomal antibodies tested once every two years if they have had abnormal Liver Function Test (LFT) results previously or if they are at risk for developing chronic illnesses such as hepatitis C virus infections or cirrhosis due to alcohol abuse or another lifestyle factor that could potentially lead to these conditions. Follow up visits and additional tests would likely be recommended sooner if symptoms begin occurring between regular checkups.

While it is important to know what value your anti-liver-kidney microsomal antibodies represent in terms of assessing health risks, it is also important not to worry too much if they come back slightly elevated – remember that many things can contribute to increased levels and it does not necessarily indicate that something serious is wrong immediately; rather, it serves moreso just as a marker that indicates further investigation into potential illnesses may be necessary over time.