ANTI MICROSOMAL ANTIBODY (AMA)

Clinical Significance:

Autoimmune thyroid disorders are characterized by the presence of antithyroid antibodies, specifically antithyroglobulin (ATG) and antithyroid peroxidase (microsomal antibodies, or AMA).

Microsomal antibodies (AMA) are produced in response to microsomes escaping from damaged cells surrounding the thyroid follicle in the thyroid gland. AMA is also known as TPO antibodies(thyroid peroxidase). Such autoantibodies are usually present in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Grave’s disease and probably play a central role in the pathogenesis of that disease. However, they may also be increased in other autoimmune disorders.