Acetylcholine Receptor (ACHR) Antibody

Acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies are immune system autoantibodies that wrongly target specific proteins called acetylcholine receptors found on muscles called skeletal muscle fibres. These are muscles that you may consciously or actively regulate.

The Acetylcholine Receptor Antibody test identifies and quantifies AChR antibodies. AChR antibodies obstruct nerve-skeletal muscle communication, decrease muscular contraction, and induce rapid muscle exhaustion by blocking acetylcholine receptor activation. They accomplish this in three primary ways:

• Binding: Binding antibodies attach to nerve cell receptors, causing an inflammatory response that damages the receptors.
• Blocking: Antibodies which attach to the receptors to block acetylcholine from binding.
• Modulation: Modulating antibodies that may cross-link receptors, leading them to be taken up by muscle cells and withdrawn from the neuromuscular junction.

These interferences result in Myasthenia Gravis (MG). MG is a chronic autoimmune condition associated with the existence of these antibodies and their impact on muscular function. The Acetylcholine Receptor Antibody test looks for either of the three ways nerve-skeletal muscle communication is obstructed.

However, the most common test is to detect the binding. The other two are explored when the binding ACHR antibody test returns negative, but the patient continues to display symptoms of Myasthenia Gravis.

When you exhibit signs and symptoms of Myasthenia Gravis, the AChR antibody test is ordered. Some of these symptoms include:

• Double vision
• Droopy eyelids
• Reduced control over eye movement
• Swallowing and chewing difficulties, as well as choking, dribbling and gagging
• Slurred speech
• Weakened neck muscles
• Having difficulty keeping your head up
• trouble breathing 
• Changed gait
• weakening of specific muscles with normal sensations
• Muscle weakness that increases with prolonged activity but improves with rest

Further, a repeat AChR antibody test may be performed in patients with established Myasthenia Gravis to evaluate response to medication, guide disease management, or assess the risk of AChR antibody transmission from a woman to her pregnant child. Furthermore, a healthcare provider may occasionally order an AChR antibody test when a Thymoma is discovered during an imaging scan.

The Acetylcholine Receptor Antibody test can confirm MG but not totally rule it out. A person with a greater concentration of AChR antibodies may develop MG. Further, an individual might still have Myasthenia Gravis even with an unequivocal result. In addition, the AChR antibody is present in the majority of individuals with MG who have an overall muscular weakness.

Currently, there is no known cure for MG. Hence, the purpose of Myasthenia Gravis treatment is to regulate symptoms while also controlling immune system activity. Some of these treatments have been described below:

• Cholinesterase inhibitors can be employed to enhance nerve-muscle communication. 
• Immunosuppressants and corticosteroids suppress the immune system and reduce the erratic immunological response seen with MG. 
• Many healthcare providers also recommend removing the thymus gland to increase muscle mobility. 
• Plasma exchange is advised before surgery or during periods of severe MG weakness. 
• IVIG (intravenous immune globulin) is often used to treat autoimmune MG as it affects antibody production and function.

However, the first course of action is to get the Acetylcholine Receptor Antibody test to confirm the existence of the AChR antibody. The test can be found on the Apollo 24|7 website at an affordable rate with the assurance of prompt result delivery.