Gain critical insight into autoimmune liver disorders with Scan4Health’s Anti-LKM (Liver-Kidney Microsomal) Antibody Test—a specialized blood test for detecting autoantibodies targeting liver and kidney microsomes. This test is a vital diagnostic tool for evaluating autoimmune hepatitis (especially type 2), distinguishing it from other causes of liver disease in both adults and children. With Scan4Health’s rapid and reliable analysis, you can count on a clear path toward accurate diagnosis and tailored clinical care.

• Fasting: Fasting for 8–12 hours is often recommended; follow your physician's specific instructions.
• Medication Guidance: Inform your care team about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications, as some may affect results. Do not stop medicines without advice.
• Recent Illness/Symptoms: Report any episodes of jaundice, unexplained fatigue, abdominal discomfort, skin rashes, joint pain, loss of appetite, or known autoimmune disease history.
• Procedure Comfort: Wear clothing that allows easy access for a blood draw from your arm.
• Child Testing: For pediatric cases, explain the process to your child for emotional comfort.

This assay detects antibodies against liver and kidney microsomal antigens, most notably LKM-1 (targeting cytochrome P450 2D6), which are associated with type 2 autoimmune hepatitis. Unlike type 1 autoimmune hepatitis (which is more common and related to other antibodies like ANA and SMA), type 2 primarily affects children and young women, often presenting with jaundice, abdominal pain, itching, and non-specific symptoms that overlap with viral or metabolic liver diseases. During the test, a blood sample is collected and analyzed using advanced methods such as indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) or ELISA. The presence of anti-LKM-1 antibodies is a strong indicator of type 2 autoimmune hepatitis, but is not used solely for diagnosis—results are interpreted alongside clinical findings, liver enzyme levels (ALT, AST, bilirubin), and other autoimmune markers (like ANA or SMA). Other autoimmune, infectious, or drug-induced liver diseases may rarely result in positive anti-LKM antibodies, so a complete evaluation is always required for accurate diagnosis.

Choose Scan4Health for advanced diagnostics for autoimmune liver disorders and a supportive care experience. Book your Anti-LKM Antibody Test today to clarify your diagnosis and confidently guide your health plan.