Microsomal - Antibody:
Why Microsomal Antibody Test?
CLINICAL INFORMATION
Microsomes are present in eukaryotic cells (eg. within thyroid cells etc). Microsome is a fragment of the endoplasmic reticulum (attached to the ribosomes). They are a heterogeneous set of vesicles formed from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). When cells are disrupted from the cellular debris by homogenization and differential centrifugation, these microsomes can be extracted (to study multi-part protein-system and enzyme studies etc). It contains enzymes such as cytochrome P450 (CYPs). Microsomal antibodies are those antibodies formed against microsomes. These microsomal antibodies are found in autoimmune thyroid diseases such as thyroiditis, goiter, thyroid dysfunctions etc. Some of the clinical manifestations include rapid heart rate, anxiety, tremors, hair loss, dry skin, intolerance to cold, constipation, protruding eyes, excessive sweating, sudden weight loss or weight gain etc. These antibodies are helpful in pathologies such as autoimmune thyroiditis and other associated conditions such as anti-thyroid peroxidase - TPO (TPO enzyme is responsible for the thyroid hormone synthesis), non-toxic nodular goitre, Hashimoto thyroiditis, Graves’ disease, granulomatous thyroiditis, primary myxedema, cancers of the thyroid etc. High levels of microsomal antibodies are also associated with an increased risk of obstetrics complications, miscarriage, high risk of abortion, premature birth, preeclampsia, in-vitro fertilization etc. These microsomal antibodies can be detected by analytical methods such as the semi-quantitative Micro-Titer Particle Agglutination test (MCHA), high sensitive assays such as RIA, ELISA etc. This test is indicated in cases with abnormal thyroid function tests (eg. abnormal T3, T4, TSH) etc. The microsomal antibody test is also performed in patients with other autoimmune conditions such as type 1 diabetes (juvenile diabetes), autoimmune hemolytic anaemia, autoimmune hepatitis, autoimmune adrenal diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, pernicious anaemia, autoimmune collagen vascular diseases, Sjogren syndrome, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) etc. A positive microsomal antibodies test result suggests damage to the thyroid gland and moreover, the presence of microsomal antibodies in pregnant women increases the risk of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism in fetuses and newborns. This test is also a helpful screening test in a differential diagnosis to differentiate chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis from Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Additional tests include complement fixation tests, immuno-fluorescence of tissue biopsy, passive hemagglutination etc. Other tests include CBC, T3, T4, TSH, thyroglobulin test, thyroglobulin antibody test, thyroid stimulation receptor antibodies test, imaging studies etc.
General Instructions:
Sample Requirement: Specimen - Blood sample collected from the vein. Test Preparation: None.
NOTE - Sample for specimen collections may vary based on the patient’s condition/cases according to the patient’s presenting complaints/signs or symptoms:
SPECIMEN REQUIREMENT (Special or Rare Cases) - As instructed and guided by Physician / Clinician / Pathologist / as per Laboratory’s requirements, according to procedures and protocols.
This Multi-Specialty Clinical Referral Laboratory RT DIAGNOSTICS provides precise and accurate tests with an extensive range of testing services to the medical centres to help in the diagnosis and identification of pathology in the test specimens for infectious diseases and also to evaluate the function of organ systems of the patient. It prevents further complications and helps to stabilize and restore health to near normalcy at the earliest without delay.
