Help w/ test results??

[CarolG52]

I have been battling with my symptoms since 2006.  I have Hasimoto's disease to begin with, but 1 year prior to being diagnosed with this I was seeing doctors for knee, hand (thumbs specifically, both sides), this joint pain has now extended to both hands and my joints are tender to touch or stiff when making a fist.  Knees, & hips become tender if I do too much exercise or walk too long!
My Antithyroid Peroxidase test is 3179 - normal ref range is <35
Antithyroglobulin test is 74 - normal ref range <20
confirming Hashi's
The endo's kept telling me that these joint symptoms were not indictive of Hashi's- following tests performed by Rheumatologist:
8-31-09
ANA - 1:80 -Speckled pattern
CRP - 1.6 - not sure what the range should be?
Anti-CCP, IGG  <1  - ref rg - 0-5
HLA B-27 - Positive
RF - 19.2 -(H)  ref range 0.0 - 15.9
Liver panel
T. Protein - 9.6 (H) ref range 6.0 -8.0
Globulin - 4.6 (H) ref range 1.0 - 3.4
CBAuto- only one out of range
Monocytes - 7 (H) ref range 2-6
HS-CRP 0.09(L)  - ref range 0.10 - 0.30

[txsilver]

Unfortunately some of us get more than 1 AI condition at a time and that might be what is happening to you.  I noticed that you are HLA B27 positive.  Have you had any infections prior to the onset of your joint pain?  Did you get food poisoning?  After getting these test results, what did the rheumy indicate would be the next step?  When do you see the rheumy again?  Have you had xrays or MRIs of the joints causing you pain?

[CarolG52]

No infections or food poisoning.  The Rheumy wants to start me on Sulfasalazine, but I'm a little afraid to start RA meds.  I did some research after he gave me a "standing order" for lab work while on thismedication.  I have not started it yet because I'm a bit worried what effect it will have on my body?  I've had x-rays that at this point show no damage to the joints. His platform is that if you treat early you prevent bone damage and while I agree with being proactive in treatment I just don't know enough about the RA drugs except the scary stuff!
Have you heard of this drug and if so what are your thoughts on it?
I appreciate your feedback....

[txsilver]

I am being treated for RA, too.  I am familiar with sulfasalazine but I am not taking it.  Of all the RA meds, this one and the one I am taking now, plaquenil (a malaria drug) are on the low end of the spectrum of RA meds.  All medication has side effects of varying degrees.  You will have to weigh the risks and benefits against all the ways your pain is effecting your life and decide if you want to try it or not.  If you do decide to take it, be sure to read the information about what meds you cannot take while on it and reduce your exposure to the sun.  
I had a lot of pain and my labs were all low positive for RA.  Xrays did not show damage to my joints, but a bone and joint scan showed almost every joint in my body riddled with inflammation.  The doc started me on plaquenil but that was not getting things under control.  I was put on methotrexate and was on the pill form for 6 months and gave my self weekly injections for 6 more months.  MTX has lots of side effects and I was at the doc monthly to have my liver function monitored.  I suffered lots of side effects each week when I took MTX, but it gave me the ability to function more days than not.  Eventually, I was able to go off MTX and manage my symptoms with plaquenil.
Having been on methotrexate (it's a chemo drug but given at lower doses to RA patients), I feel like any med at the lower end of the spectrum is great, but that is me and the decisions I made.  I can honestly say I have no regrets.  Before the meds, I could hardly function and pain dominated my life.  Now, I have regained more functionality than I had ever dared wish I would achieve again.
In the end, no one but you has to live with the consequences of your decision.  If the doc is not supportive of your decision, that is a signal that you need to find another doc who will listen to you and respect you.
Hang in there!