Lupus or Not

[Julieny]

I had a skin biopsy done last year from a sun rash on my neck, chest  arms and upper back also I get sores on the top of my head and occasionally in my eyebrows, not often there but chronic on the top of my head. It came back positive for lupus. I also a year ago had an ANA done, it showed a titre of the lowest, can't remember but low enough to possibly rule  out LUPUS according to my GP. I just had a blood screen done last week and it shows a positive ANA, everything else was negetive that was included in the test except a Auto Antibody to RNP saying it is 369, with > 120 U/ml =strong positive. What does this mean, it was a free screening fom my health insurance so my GP hasn't seen it yet. Usually it takes months to get in to see him, small town with 1 doctor. I feel terrible, joint and bone pain, tired, I could go on and on. Also I had my thyroid removed last July. In this test my T3 T4 is in normal range but TSH is .18 Low. Also Low RBC and Low Neutrophil, Low Uric Acid,. Does any of this point to SLE, What should I do, I just cut my work hours down as I hurts to bad to sit at my desk all day. HELP

[ewford]

If you have multiple AI symptoms, I suggest a IGENEX labs test for Lymes and coinfections.  What are some of the other symptoms? chronic headaches? eye pain? swollen lymph glands? Neuropathy?  Tingling?  ankles hurt?  Feet hurt?

[karajo]

The "Band Test" (skin biopsy) is postivie in SLE & Discoid lupus 90% of the time.  This test can confirm that a rash is part of an immune reaction, which would infdicate the need for anti-inflammatory therapy.  

What was your last ANA results and the pattern?

When RNP in high levels suggest mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) and at low levels supports a dx of SLE.  

Low RBC - (causes) anemia, blood loss, destruction of blood cells internally or failure to produce blood in the bone marrow.

Low Neutrophil - indicates a compromised immune system or depressed bone marrow.

Low Uric Acid - certain medicines can break down uric acid and cause this, large doses of vit. C, Wilson's Disease (a genetic disease of the liver which allows copper to build up to toxic levels), and too much allopurinol (med. for gout).

I know that anemia and low neutrophils are common in lupus patients.  The thyroid thing makes me wonder if there might have been an antoimmune thing going on (Hashimoto Thyroiditis).  Some autoimmune disease come in multiples.

I hope this helps and God bless, Kara