Medichecks Inflammation & autoimmunity

Smooth Muscle Antibodies Blood Test

A single-marker blood test that checks for smooth muscle antibodies, used alongside other tests when investigating possible autoimmune hepatitis, a condition where the immune system affects the liver. Suited to anyone whose GP is investigating unexplained liver-related symptoms.

  • Doctor reviewed
Sample
Blood
Collection
In-store clinic or home nurse visit or venous draw at clinic
Results in
5 days
Biomarkers
1
Doctor reviewed
Yes
Tests for
  • Smooth Muscle Antibodies

Test specifications

Provider
Medichecks
Sample type
blood
Collection method
in-store clinic or home nurse visit or venous draw at clinic
Turnaround time
5 days
Biomarkers tested
1
At-home test
No
Doctor reviewed
Yes
Gender focus
Both

What's tested

1 biomarker as listed by Medichecks.

Autoimmunity

  • Smooth Muscle Antibodies

About this test

This test measures smooth muscle antibodies, a single marker in the blood that is commonly used, alongside other liver blood tests, when investigating the possible cause of unexplained liver problems, including autoimmune hepatitis, a condition where the immune system affects the liver. On its own it does not give a full picture of liver health, since it checks this one antibody rather than standard liver function markers.

Medichecks doesn't list a directly comparable panel for this specific antibody, so we can't say how the price or depth compares with rival tests. Within the broader group of similarly sized inflammation and autoimmunity tests we track, its £89 price sits almost exactly at the median.

It scores well on trust signals and on the clarity of the listing, which sets out the sample type, collection options and turnaround plainly. Clinical depth is more limited, since it checks a single marker, and collection convenience is middling because there is no at-home option, only a clinic visit or home nurse.

Who is it for?

This is a sensible option if a GP or clinician has already raised the possibility of autoimmune liver disease and you want this specific antibody checked privately, or if you're following up unexplained liver-related symptoms and want it alongside other tests. It is not designed as a general health screen: because it checks one marker only, anyone with broader liver or autoimmune concerns would likely get more value from a wider panel that includes standard liver function markers alongside this antibody. If you have symptoms, seeing a GP for a full assessment remains the appropriate first step.

How it works

This is a blood test taken by venous draw at a Medichecks clinic or via a home nurse visit; there is no at-home finger-prick option. After the sample reaches the lab, the smooth muscle antibody result is checked and a doctor reviews the result as part of the standard service, with results typically back within 5 days.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Results typically back within 5 days.
  • Priced almost exactly at the median for similarly sized inflammation and autoimmunity tests, based on our data.
  • Listing states the sample type, collection options and turnaround clearly.
  • Checks a specific antibody linked to autoimmune hepatitis, rather than a broad liver panel.

Cons

  • Checks one marker only, so it needs pairing with other tests for a fuller liver picture.
  • Needs a clinic visit or home nurse call-out; no at-home finger-prick kit.
  • No comparable Medichecks panel listed for this specific antibody, making the £89 price hard to benchmark.

Our editorial score

Compare Health Test Score Single-marker liver autoimmune antibody check
Editorial confidence: 10.0/10

This £89 test measures a single marker, smooth muscle antibodies, which are commonly checked alongside other liver tests when investigating possible autoimmune hepatitis. There's no comparable Medichecks panel listed to weigh it against, and at one marker it is narrow in scope, so it works best as a targeted addition to broader liver or autoimmune investigations rather than as a stand-alone health check.

Score breakdown

  • Clarity and documentation 8.0/10

    The listing publishes a short description, the full biomarker list, a stated turnaround, clear collection options, the sample type; it does not state what the report looks like.

  • Clinical depth 6.4/10

    1 biomarkers, placing it in the 32nd percentile of inflammation tests we track.

  • Collection convenience 8.0/10

    A blood sample taken at home by a visiting nurse or phlebotomist; with a venous or clinic option as well; a home nurse visit is offered; results in around 5 days, slower than similar tests.

  • Results and follow-up 7.0/10

    Results are reviewed by a doctor; the provider does not describe the report format.

  • Trust signals 9.5/10

    Trustpilot 4.5 from 2,477 reviews; accredited lab (UKAS ISO 15189 partner labs); doctor review as standard; trading 25+ years.

  • Value for money 6.5/10

    £89.00 against a median of £88.63 for the 26 similarly sized inflammation tests we track (+0%).

Calculated 13 September 2026 from the facts we hold about this test and provider, using our published scoring formula. Scores are not hand-edited.

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