DIAGNOSTIC TEST 485

HMGCR Antibodies

Diagnostic test for antibodies against HMGCR. For suspicion of immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM).

urgent

Available as urgent test with results within 48 h.

Indication

Suspicion of immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM)

Sample material

Serum

  • Minim. volume: 0,5 mL

Transport

  • Within Sweden: room temperature
  • International: cold

Method

ELISA

Reference interval

<20 U/mL negative

Result

Results are reported as negative or positive with a value.

Interpretation

Antibodies against HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR) are associated with necrotizing autoimmune myopathy, an uncommon but serious condition that can be seen with or without previous statin therapy.

The progression is often subacute with an increasing symmetrical proximal muscle weakness and high levels of creatine kinase (CK) in the blood. Almost half of the cases have previous treatment with statins. The level of anti-HMGCR correlates to the muscle strength and level of CK.

Anti-HMGCR is usually not detected in healthy individuals or in other inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

References

  • Musset L et al. J Immunol Res. 2014. Analysis of autoantibodies to 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase using different technologies. PMID: 24741598
  • Allenbach Y et al. Medicine (Baltimore). 2014. Anti-HMGCR autoantibodies in European patients with autoimmune necrotizing myopathies: inconstant exposure to statin. PMID: 24797170
  • Mohassel P, Mammen AL. J Neuromuscul Dis. 2018. Anti-HMGCR Myopathy. PMID: 29480216
  • Kerola AM et al. RMD Open 2025 Predictive value of myositis antibodies: role of semiquantitative classification and positivity for more than one autoantibody. PMID: 39837620

Included in these panels

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How to order

This test is available worldwide for hospitals, clinics, and physicians.

  1. Print and complete the request form

    Download the request form. Clearly state the name and phone number of the referring hospital, clinic, or physician.

  2. Prepare your samples

    Serum: At least 0.5 mL serum (plain serum tubes without additives).

  3. Send samples and request form

    Within Sweden
    Samples can be sent at room temperature to:
    Envelopes and smaller boxes:
    Wieslab AB, Box 50117, 20211 Malmö, Sweden

    Larger boxes and frozen samples:
    Wieslab AB, Lundavägen 151, 21224 Malmö, Sweden

    International
    Send samples cold to:
    Wieslab AB, Lundavägen 151, 21224 Malmö, Sweden

Read our sampling instructions for more information

Last updated: 2025-10-09