Great question! The MG blood tests are called serologic tests, and they look for specific proteins called autoantibodies — not the usual markers like RBC or neutrophils. These autoantibodies are mistakenly attacking your own body's tissues.
There are two main antibodies the test looks for:
- AChR (Acetylcholine Receptor) Show Full Answer
Great question! The MG blood tests are called serologic tests, and they look for specific proteins called autoantibodies — not the usual markers like RBC or neutrophils. These autoantibodies are mistakenly attacking your own body's tissues.
There are two main antibodies the test looks for:
- AChR (Acetylcholine Receptor) antibodies — the most common. A normal result is less than 0.05 nmol/L. Higher levels can indicate MG.
- MuSK (Muscle-Specific Kinase) antibodies — checked if AChR comes back normal, since about 30–40% of AChR-negative MG patients have MuSK antibodies instead. It's worth knowing that about 1 in 5 people with MG won't show either antibody — this is called seronegative MG. In that case, other tests like an EMG (electromyography) may be needed to confirm the diagnosis.
One MGteam member shared: *"My diagnosis was not confirmed until I had an EMG. My neurologist was convinced at the first visit that I had MG, but the blood work did not confirm this."*
Always discuss your specific results with your neurologist, as lab ranges can vary slightly between facilities.
June 2
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