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Autoimmune Disorders Community
This is an un-mediated Patient-to-Patient Forum only. This forum is for questions and support regarding Autoimmune topics such as: Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), Addison's disease, Ankylosing spondylitis, Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS), Aplastic anemia, Autoimmune hepatitis, Autoimmune Oophoritis, Celiac disease, Crohn's disease, Diabetes mellitus type 1, Gestational pemphigoid, Goodpasture's syndrome, Graves' disease, Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), Hashimoto's disease, Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, Kawasaki's Disease,
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Autoimmune disease with normal immunoglobulin levels?
by Sigyn, May 27, 2008 01:41PM
Hi all. Does anyone know whether there's any possibility whatsoever of having an autoimmune disease when all immunoglobulin levels have been found perfectly normal? Could there be a t-cell deficiency of any kind even with normal immunoglobulin levels?
I am extremely prone to infections. Have had fifteen mycoplasma pneumonias, bronchitis all the time, chronic sinusitis, strep throats, recurrent ear infections (as a child and in adulthood - am now 27, female), general fatigue, laparascopically diagnosed endometriosis as well as various myalgias and undiagnosed bouts of abdominal pain.
My doctor's suggested autoimmune disease or immunodeficiency of some sort, but rules it out when gamma-globulines came back normal. And can't really think of what else may be the reason of these all-the-time-infections. Asthma and allergies have been ruled out, abdominal CT's normal, all bloodworks are fine and I've hardly ever got a much elevated CRP.
Any info ever so appreciated!
I am extremely prone to infections. Have had fifteen mycoplasma pneumonias, bronchitis all the time, chronic sinusitis, strep throats, recurrent ear infections (as a child and in adulthood - am now 27, female), general fatigue, laparascopically diagnosed endometriosis as well as various myalgias and undiagnosed bouts of abdominal pain.
My doctor's suggested autoimmune disease or immunodeficiency of some sort, but rules it out when gamma-globulines came back normal. And can't really think of what else may be the reason of these all-the-time-infections. Asthma and allergies have been ruled out, abdominal CT's normal, all bloodworks are fine and I've hardly ever got a much elevated CRP.
Any info ever so appreciated!
Do you have any other symptoms ? (muscle aches... fatigue.... unrefreshing sleep.... joint pain... etc. ?)
Mostly just these recurrent infections, over and over again.
Has your physician ordered an ANCA lab test on you ?
I think you are right to focus upon T-cells and raised lymhocytes because often my sons T-cells are abnormal but his his immunoglobulins are normal. Could you have had a transient hypogammaglobulinaemia which is where the immune system is slower to develop and you are now suffering the effects of recurrent infections? Are you having normal Liver Function Test results? Flip the coin over! It is easy to assume that you have an under active immune system when in fact your immune system could be OVER reacting. This is the approach they are now taking with my son...it seems to help,far less fatigue, pain, ear and skin infections. He is having antibiotic therapy every other week along with Montelukast which is an anti leukotreine therapy most frequently used in asthma...it seems to have helped as he doesnot seem to have permanent sinusitis now! Please do not let dr's tell you everything is ok because your immunoglobulins come back normal......get a referral to an immunologist as there are
many things they can investigate and look for. Do not put up with recurrent infections as it will have an effect on your health...an immunologist may try therapies to prevent you always being prone to infection. Please let me know how you get on!
I have Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome and for years, I had numerous sinus infections, URI's and UTI's. I've never had my CD4 levels checked, but most CFS patients will have a low CD4 result.
Thank goodness there is a test that can officially diagnose CFIDS and it will be available soon.
Also, an elevation in liver enzymes can mean chronic or acute inflammation.
I'm tested every 6 months. How often are they monitoring your labs? I think some people are sensitve to the changes in their body or in tune with their body...sometimes before the labs come back positive....Stay on top of it....Get more testing until you get an asnwer.
Best wishes.