Aa
what does high complement levels mean?
To: Hi All
I have am 40 years old and for 10 years I have periodically have the following symptoms: lowgrade fever, body aches , right flank pain, extreme fatigue, joint pain ( my fingers are in so much pain I sometimes feel I cant close them , my spine is constantly aching, I have constant right hip pain) In 2003, I had multiple tests done, MRI, CT scan & just about EVERY blood test possible. No Rheumatoid Arthritis, Neg. ANA, Negative Epstine Barr. The only thing found was a " spot" of arthritis on my lower spine. Now its 5 years later and one again, I am just desperate to live a life like I did at one time- with out pain & fatigue.Because all Doctors that I have seen figures my " body aches were muscular- skelatal issues, I am currently under the care of an orthopedic. I have bursitis in the shoulders and get steroid shots from time to time. When I bring up my non stop hip pain , he seems to feel sense I JUST got an MRI of the spine in 2003, my pain is prob. just arthritis. Lately I have had to cancel some really important social events because of this " illness". I work in a lab so I decided that I need to take things into my own hands if I am every going to feel better. I did an ANA ( negative), ESR slightly elevated, Complement 3 and 4 were both high, and I am waiting for my Sojrens ( sp? ) antibody to come back. Weird thing is, I thought Id run the c3 & c4 to rule out possible lupus, But mine came out on the opposite spectrum that shows lupus. After researching, I cant find much about what high complement levels mean. I just am wondering if these complements levels being high have anything to do with my health issues. Im sorry to vent, I dont even know where to go from here. I think we all have somethings in common, We know we have health issues but are not sure who to channel them to to make us feel better. Please give me advice.
Barbara Borel
I have am 40 years old and for 10 years I have periodically have the following symptoms: lowgrade fever, body aches , right flank pain, extreme fatigue, joint pain ( my fingers are in so much pain I sometimes feel I cant close them , my spine is constantly aching, I have constant right hip pain) In 2003, I had multiple tests done, MRI, CT scan & just about EVERY blood test possible. No Rheumatoid Arthritis, Neg. ANA, Negative Epstine Barr. The only thing found was a " spot" of arthritis on my lower spine. Now its 5 years later and one again, I am just desperate to live a life like I did at one time- with out pain & fatigue.Because all Doctors that I have seen figures my " body aches were muscular- skelatal issues, I am currently under the care of an orthopedic. I have bursitis in the shoulders and get steroid shots from time to time. When I bring up my non stop hip pain , he seems to feel sense I JUST got an MRI of the spine in 2003, my pain is prob. just arthritis. Lately I have had to cancel some really important social events because of this " illness". I work in a lab so I decided that I need to take things into my own hands if I am every going to feel better. I did an ANA ( negative), ESR slightly elevated, Complement 3 and 4 were both high, and I am waiting for my Sojrens ( sp? ) antibody to come back. Weird thing is, I thought Id run the c3 & c4 to rule out possible lupus, But mine came out on the opposite spectrum that shows lupus. After researching, I cant find much about what high complement levels mean. I just am wondering if these complements levels being high have anything to do with my health issues. Im sorry to vent, I dont even know where to go from here. I think we all have somethings in common, We know we have health issues but are not sure who to channel them to to make us feel better. Please give me advice.
Barbara Borel
After a positive ANA they will dilute to see how high your result is (1:40, 1:80, etc) and yours is quite positive. They also then see the"pattern" which is helpful for diagnostics and run specific antibodies...anti-rnp, ds anti-dna, anti-ssa, antiss-b, etc what was your pattern and to which antibodies did you test positive. + ana is also seen in autoimmune liver, thyroid disease, mctd, not sure about AS, psoriatic arthritis, and inflammatory neuropathies but you should have nerve and muscle biopsies taken, emg/nerve testing, joint xrays etc ask to see neuro as well.
Hi! I know this is an old post but I'm desperate and depressed so I'm reaching out. I'm only 23 and I don't ever get to live a normal life of someone in their 20s cuz I'm in constant pain. I was wondering if OP had gotten any answers or if anyone had any recommendations for me -
I have been diagnosed with Fibro but I feel like I'm in so much more pain than I should be. I take 300mg of Lyrica (suggested dose for FM) and antidepressants for the pain but it doesn't help, I'm take 2-3 pain pills a day and it would be more but I only get 60 a month from my doctor because they're VERY conservative with it. I have ankle, knee, hip, back, shoulder, wrist, elbow, hand, neck pain. Basically head to toe. The worst lately is my back, I'm currently waiting on the AS gene test to come back but my rheum isn't really thinking that's what's going on. My neck hurts so bad it wakes me up at night. My hands are so bad that I can't open jars, can only hold the steering wheel for a short time, and they're tingling from just holding the phone to type thus far. I have had a high positive ANA, 1:640, for several years but my doc says that some people just have that. High CRP but again, says that doesn't really say that there's anything wrong, and now I have high C3 203, but all I ever get is that these don't mean anything. I should be finding out about the gene in the next couple of days but rheum didn't think too much about that blood test - pretty much said if it came back positive that it didn't really mean I had AS anyways. I don't understand why I keep having blood tests done if none of it means anything. It's like the only tests that will mean anything to him are the RA factor and that lupus panel which is so frustrating. I think the doctor just thinks I'm a hypochondriac or doesn't take me seriously! Just wondering if anyone out there has had similar experiences or recommendations for me, I'd really appreciate it!
I have been diagnosed with Fibro but I feel like I'm in so much more pain than I should be. I take 300mg of Lyrica (suggested dose for FM) and antidepressants for the pain but it doesn't help, I'm take 2-3 pain pills a day and it would be more but I only get 60 a month from my doctor because they're VERY conservative with it. I have ankle, knee, hip, back, shoulder, wrist, elbow, hand, neck pain. Basically head to toe. The worst lately is my back, I'm currently waiting on the AS gene test to come back but my rheum isn't really thinking that's what's going on. My neck hurts so bad it wakes me up at night. My hands are so bad that I can't open jars, can only hold the steering wheel for a short time, and they're tingling from just holding the phone to type thus far. I have had a high positive ANA, 1:640, for several years but my doc says that some people just have that. High CRP but again, says that doesn't really say that there's anything wrong, and now I have high C3 203, but all I ever get is that these don't mean anything. I should be finding out about the gene in the next couple of days but rheum didn't think too much about that blood test - pretty much said if it came back positive that it didn't really mean I had AS anyways. I don't understand why I keep having blood tests done if none of it means anything. It's like the only tests that will mean anything to him are the RA factor and that lupus panel which is so frustrating. I think the doctor just thinks I'm a hypochondriac or doesn't take me seriously! Just wondering if anyone out there has had similar experiences or recommendations for me, I'd really appreciate it!
1 Comments
Yes, you are not alone. I would asked for a referral to a specialist.
A question : Have you ever been bit by a tick?
Many people do not recall a tick bite ,yet still have Lyme Disease - find a Lyme Literate doctor in your state. You can find one thru www.ilads.org
I was bit by a tick over a decade ago, nothing has been right since then. Much of same symptoms as you, and I finally figured it out. Starting treatment next month. It was a long journey but now I know. Your symptoms and blood work are too similar not to mention. Best to you.
Many people do not recall a tick bite ,yet still have Lyme Disease - find a Lyme Literate doctor in your state. You can find one thru www.ilads.org
I was bit by a tick over a decade ago, nothing has been right since then. Much of same symptoms as you, and I finally figured it out. Starting treatment next month. It was a long journey but now I know. Your symptoms and blood work are too similar not to mention. Best to you.
something is causing your D levels to go next to nillo. have you got to the bottom of it? my D level was at 6. mine told me autoimmune is the source. I have connective tissue disease which ultimatly lupus is behind it. I am still digging! I do take mega doses of D2 an D3 an magnesium. it has helped with inflammation but I still have high C3 its off the charts!
As concerns low D levels, you can get D3 over the counter at Costco, Walmart etc for cheap. You don't need a script. A D3 test will let you know what your D level is. Don't have the Doc. do a D2 test as they are different, unless they run it with a D3.
Loads of free info on vitamin D at www.vitamindcouncil.org Your levels need to be at 50-70 mg not the current 20 that is considered "normal". The more med problems you have the more you need D3. It takes time for your body to improve. I currently take 10,000 IU of D3 a day and my levels are at 57.
It should help with the bone and joint pain at the very least. Our bodies need D at a cellular level to work correctly.
Give it a try and let us know how you are doing.
elbamom
It will improve your health in just so many ways!
Loads of free info on vitamin D at www.vitamindcouncil.org Your levels need to be at 50-70 mg not the current 20 that is considered "normal". The more med problems you have the more you need D3. It takes time for your body to improve. I currently take 10,000 IU of D3 a day and my levels are at 57.
It should help with the bone and joint pain at the very least. Our bodies need D at a cellular level to work correctly.
Give it a try and let us know how you are doing.
elbamom
It will improve your health in just so many ways!
http://www.functionalmedicine.org/practitioner_search.aspx?id=117
Go to the link and begin working with a doctor who can help you reach the underlying cause of what is going on. Functional medicine aims to correct underlying causes of disease where so often medicine is treating symptoms.
All the comments have this vibe of "what do these tests say I *have*?" These tests are markers and are not specific for any one or two illnesses; they are clues. The diagnosis - the naming of some disease process - is not as important as a) what triggered the illness, and b) what keeps the illness going. If you take measures to correct these two factors, and you begin to feel better, what you call the disease doesn't really matter.
The functional medicine approach begins with assessing your ENTIRE medical/social(stress) history and invariably begins with correcting diet and activity first, before further tests and clues narrow the therapeutic approach. It requires a close working relationship with the physician and diligent effort (no quick fixes) from each over a long time to consistently reverse the processes and behaviors that have led to the mischief.
Good luck!
Go to the link and begin working with a doctor who can help you reach the underlying cause of what is going on. Functional medicine aims to correct underlying causes of disease where so often medicine is treating symptoms.
All the comments have this vibe of "what do these tests say I *have*?" These tests are markers and are not specific for any one or two illnesses; they are clues. The diagnosis - the naming of some disease process - is not as important as a) what triggered the illness, and b) what keeps the illness going. If you take measures to correct these two factors, and you begin to feel better, what you call the disease doesn't really matter.
The functional medicine approach begins with assessing your ENTIRE medical/social(stress) history and invariably begins with correcting diet and activity first, before further tests and clues narrow the therapeutic approach. It requires a close working relationship with the physician and diligent effort (no quick fixes) from each over a long time to consistently reverse the processes and behaviors that have led to the mischief.
Good luck!
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