Glomerular Basement Membrane Antibodies
Also known as Glomerular Basement Membrane Antibodies Immunoassay BloodWhat is this test?
Glomerular basement membrane antibodies blood test is used to detect antibodies in the blood which cause damage to the part of the kidney known as the glomerular basement membrane (GBM).
What are Glomerular Basement Membrane Antibodies?
Glomerular Basement Membrane Antibodies are the reason for kidney damage. These antibodies attack capillaries in the glomerular basement membrane causing kidney damage. This affects the functioning of the kidneys. Impaired functioning of kidneys may lead to blood and blood proteins leakage into the urine. This condition is called anti-glomerulonephritis. These antibodies may also attack the basement membranes in your lungs causing lung damage by filling the air sacs with blood and proteins. This leads to difficulty in breathing. When glomerular basement membrane antibodies affect both kidneys and lungs the condition is known as Goodpasture syndrome.
Why this test is performed?
This test may be recommended to you by your doctor to know the underlying cause for kidney or lung damage. This test helps in diagnosing anti-glomerular basement membrane test. If you experience symptoms like fever with chills, coughing up blood, chest pain, weight loss, anemia due to bleeding, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, etc this test may be recommended by your doctor. During conditions like kidney failure or respiratory failure, this test may be recommended.
Test Preparation
Inform your doctor if you are on any medications, have any allergies or underlying medical conditions before your Glomerular Basement Membrane Antibodies. Your doctor will give specific instructions depending on your condition on how to prepare for Glomerular Basement Membrane Antibodies.
No specific preparation is required for this test.
Understanding your test results
The normal test results may vary according to age, gender, past medical history, and present medical condition.
If you get abnormal test results it may indicate that there may be chances of having anti-glomerular basement membrane disease or Goodpasture syndrome.
If your test results are normal there may be a 10 percent chance of having an anti-glomerular basement membrane.
However, consult your doctor immediately after receiving your lab reports.
| Gender | Age groups | Value |
| OTHER | All age groups | The antibodies are not normally present. They are detected in positive cases |