Autoimmune test negative

[unmaestro]

I received some blood test results back from when I had an autoimmune disorder test taken. The results were negative. Does this mean that MS is ruled out? I thought MS was an autoimmune disorder. Thanks,

Mallory

[unmaestro]

Thanks so much for your detailed reply. How did you get so smart!!?! :) It's comforting to know that someone's out there watching out for all of us that don't have a diagnosis. I don't know if I have MS. I mean, no one wants a disease. I just want to know what's going on, and I find myself getting so frustrated and discouraged when yet another test comes out negative or normal. I just want some answers. I'm tired of feeling like I'm crazy and making it all up.

Thanks again for your time.

Mallory

[Quixotic1]

Actually, though there is a strong automimmune component to MS, it is not one of the standard autoimmune diseases.  There are at least a couple of reasons for this.  One is that there is no blood test that confirms or strongly points to MS - not a one.  However, there are several that point to the traditional autoimmune diseases, like ANA, LA, RF, AntiPhospholipid, etc.

Two, the majority, but not all, of the autoimmune diseases have strong inflammation out in the body.  So the indicators of inflammation tend to be elevated in them, like the Sed Rate (ESR) and CRP (C-Reactive Protein).

So, the battery of tests that look for the Inflammatory Autoimmune diseases should be negative in someone with MS alone.  One exception is a mildly elevated ANA (less than or equal to 1:320) in a woman, which can be found in a significant portion of the population.

Though the data is conclusive that autoimmunity is a part of MS, we don't know what part it plays.  We certainly haven't found the autoimmune culprit that "causes" MS and it is not from lack of looking.  We know that autoimmune inflammation causes the T2 Hyperintense lesions that we see on the MRI, especially in the T2 FLAIR sequences.

But, we also know that the disability that we develop is not particularly related to these lesions.  The ongoing disability is more a result of the direct death of neurons and their long fibers called axons.  This direct axonal degeneration (nerve death) happens independently of the T2 lesions, though a small amount also happens with particularly severe inflammation.

The researchers are not even clear either on what the trigger is for the direct nerve death.  So, we remain in the dark with dozens of theories flying about.

Knowing the importance of the direct nerve death which can often be seen in the form of the "black holes" seen on the T1 part of the MRI, I get mad when I see the importance that some neurologists place on counting T2 lesions and disregarding all else.  Black holes are rarely mentioned in MRI reports, so I sometimes wonder if the radiologists are even looking for them.  My last MRI did mention that no black holes were seen.

Interestingly enough, my new neuro stated that he thought the bulk of my disease was in direct axonal degeneration and that is why I have had so many symptoms appear and slowly (insidiously) worsen, but I also have had relapsing events.  I need to discuss this whole thing with him.

Well, getting off track.  Sorry.

When the battery of blood tests is negative, it is the bulk of "ruling out the mimics."  It means they didn't find evidence that some other disease is responsible for your symptoms like an autoimmune process, an infection, a deficiency, or such.

Mallory, I always meant to respond to your follow up questions from our earlier discussion.  I will try to find it and do so.  I have been so noodlebrained recently.  Please forgive.

Quix