|
Acetylcholine receptor antibody How the Test is Performed:
Blood is drawn by the fingerstick (or heelstick on an infant) method, and a drop of it is placed on blotting paper to determine if the acetylcholine receptor antibody is present in the bloodstream.
How to Prepare:
If you are taking edrophonium, you may be told to stop taking the drug for a short time before the test; then take it again before a second test to determine the change.
Infants and children:
The physical and psychological preparation you can provide for this or any test or procedure depends on your child's age, interests, previous experience, and level of trust. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics as they correspond to your child's age:
How it Feels:
This test requires a small amount of blood to be drawn. The method used is the fingerstick (pricking the finger with a needle). The fingerstick is very quick, and most people experience minimal discomfort.
Risks:
Because edrophonium slows the heart, atropine is stored near the test area to be used as the antidote. Asthma patients have respiration (breathing) risks that should be discussed with the health care provider before taking this test.
Why this Test is Performed:
This is a diagnostic test for myasthenia gravis . If you lose the ability to move muscles after minimal activity, this test can help determine the cause.
Normal Values:
No acetylcholine receptor antibody (or less than .05 nM) in the bloodstream is normal.
Note: nM = nanomole
Abnormal Results:
An abnormal result means that you may have myasthenia gravis or, in rare circumstances, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (accompanied by muscle atrophy ).
Cost:
The estimated cost is $35 to $50, because a doctor is present in case of a reaction.
Special Considerations:
Some reactions to this test are: Because some people do not react to this drug, and the amount of edrophonium has a significant change in the behavior of patients, this test is about 75% accurate.
|
