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Immunologist Visit,,,,
Well guys ...after spending nearly 5 hours having tests done to reveal the CAUSE of my recent anaphalaxix episode, it seems the Immunologist has now founf it NOT to be from foods, medications and plants.
He is 99% sure that I have another autoimmune disorder.
So tests were done ...Tri-phase, C1 - C100 (complete essay of ALL antibodies)...
Now I wait ........
Here is the writeup on the C1 - C100 tests (creative proteins)
The complement system is a set of circulating blood proteins that work together to promote immune and inflammatory responses. Their principal role is to destroy foreign substances like bacteria and viruses. The nine primary complement components are those designated as C1 through C9. They are assisted and regulated by several subcomponents and inhibitors.
The complement system is part of the bodys innate immune system. Unlike the acquired immune system, which produces antibodies that target and protect against specific threats, the innate immune system is non-specific and can quickly respond to foreign substances. It does not require advance exposure to an invading microorganism or substance and does not maintain a memory of previous encounters. As part of the innate immune system, the complement system has evolved to recognise antigen-antibody complexes (immune complexes) as well as certain structures and polysaccharides (complex carbohydrates) found on the outside membranes of microorganisms and other foreign cells.
Complement activation may be initiated in several different ways. These are termed classical, alternative or lectin pathways. However, the final product from all activation pathways is the same the formation of the Membrane Attack Complex (MAC). Complement activation causes several things to happen:
• The MAC binds to the surface of each microorganism or abnormal cell that has been targeted for destruction. It creates a lesion (hole) in the membrane wall, and causes lysis, which is destruction of the cell by letting the contents out like piercing a water-filled balloon.
• It increases the permeability of blood vessels, allowing white blood cells (WBCs) to move out of the bloodstream and into the tissues.
• It attracts WBCs to the site of the infection.
• It stimulates phagocytosis, a process in which microorganisms are engulfed by macrophages and neutrophils and killed.
• It increases the solubility of the immune complexes and helps to clear them out of the serum.
Complement proteins both promote and regulate these activities. Inherited or acquired deficiencies or abnormalities in one or more of the complement components may adversely affect the integrity and function of the immune system. Deficiencies may also arise because of decreased production or increased use of one or more complement proteins.
These tests measure the quantity or the function (activity) of complement proteins in the blood. Complement components may be measured individually and together to determine whether the system is functioning normally. C3 and C4 are the most frequently measured complement proteins. Total complement activity (CH50, or CH100) can be measured if the doctor suspects a deficiency that is not measured by C3 or C4. CH50 measures the function of the complete classical complement pathway, C1 C9. If this measurement is outside the normal range, then each of the 9 different complement levels can be measured individually to look for hereditary or acquired deficiencies.
He is 99% sure that I have another autoimmune disorder.
So tests were done ...Tri-phase, C1 - C100 (complete essay of ALL antibodies)...
Now I wait ........
Here is the writeup on the C1 - C100 tests (creative proteins)
The complement system is a set of circulating blood proteins that work together to promote immune and inflammatory responses. Their principal role is to destroy foreign substances like bacteria and viruses. The nine primary complement components are those designated as C1 through C9. They are assisted and regulated by several subcomponents and inhibitors.
The complement system is part of the bodys innate immune system. Unlike the acquired immune system, which produces antibodies that target and protect against specific threats, the innate immune system is non-specific and can quickly respond to foreign substances. It does not require advance exposure to an invading microorganism or substance and does not maintain a memory of previous encounters. As part of the innate immune system, the complement system has evolved to recognise antigen-antibody complexes (immune complexes) as well as certain structures and polysaccharides (complex carbohydrates) found on the outside membranes of microorganisms and other foreign cells.
Complement activation may be initiated in several different ways. These are termed classical, alternative or lectin pathways. However, the final product from all activation pathways is the same the formation of the Membrane Attack Complex (MAC). Complement activation causes several things to happen:
• The MAC binds to the surface of each microorganism or abnormal cell that has been targeted for destruction. It creates a lesion (hole) in the membrane wall, and causes lysis, which is destruction of the cell by letting the contents out like piercing a water-filled balloon.
• It increases the permeability of blood vessels, allowing white blood cells (WBCs) to move out of the bloodstream and into the tissues.
• It attracts WBCs to the site of the infection.
• It stimulates phagocytosis, a process in which microorganisms are engulfed by macrophages and neutrophils and killed.
• It increases the solubility of the immune complexes and helps to clear them out of the serum.
Complement proteins both promote and regulate these activities. Inherited or acquired deficiencies or abnormalities in one or more of the complement components may adversely affect the integrity and function of the immune system. Deficiencies may also arise because of decreased production or increased use of one or more complement proteins.
These tests measure the quantity or the function (activity) of complement proteins in the blood. Complement components may be measured individually and together to determine whether the system is functioning normally. C3 and C4 are the most frequently measured complement proteins. Total complement activity (CH50, or CH100) can be measured if the doctor suspects a deficiency that is not measured by C3 or C4. CH50 measures the function of the complete classical complement pathway, C1 C9. If this measurement is outside the normal range, then each of the 9 different complement levels can be measured individually to look for hereditary or acquired deficiencies.
Update....
Hives reared its ugly head many time since but I have been hives free for the last 5 days ...woohooo!
It seems to be the FT3 dropped pretty low and when my T4 med was increased by 12.5mcg weekly...the hives have stopped.
Mind you , I am on the prednisolone still...starting to decrease slowly tomorrow and 120mg Telfast at night.
I honestly believ it was my FT3 dropping drastically due to stress.
I will know soon enough as I start a new job tomorrow.
By the way....ate tomatoes yesterday and NOTHING! No ill effect.
And the tests have showed up that there is NO other autoimmune diseases.
So thats one bit of good news.
Chances are if the hives return after decreasing the prednisolone, I may have to be on a maintenance dose af low antihistimines for some time.
But there are no side effects from that.
Hives reared its ugly head many time since but I have been hives free for the last 5 days ...woohooo!
It seems to be the FT3 dropped pretty low and when my T4 med was increased by 12.5mcg weekly...the hives have stopped.
Mind you , I am on the prednisolone still...starting to decrease slowly tomorrow and 120mg Telfast at night.
I honestly believ it was my FT3 dropping drastically due to stress.
I will know soon enough as I start a new job tomorrow.
By the way....ate tomatoes yesterday and NOTHING! No ill effect.
And the tests have showed up that there is NO other autoimmune diseases.
So thats one bit of good news.
Chances are if the hives return after decreasing the prednisolone, I may have to be on a maintenance dose af low antihistimines for some time.
But there are no side effects from that.
Hives reared its ugly head again y/day and Immunologist seems to think it may be Graves antibodys doing it or may be another autoimmune disease.
But this time...I took the Zyrtek like he said (boy, it made me sleep!) and hives are now going.
This attack wasnt no way as severe as the last one but think because I stopped it in time with the Zyrtek.
Immunologists said the BEST antihistamine was Zyrtek...seems he was right.
Havent got bloods back yet as they will take a few weeks apparently so still waiting on results.
Both Doc and Immunologist seem to think that food is NOT responsible for the Hives.
Went to bed with Epipen beside the bed and didnt need to use it as hives were small like mozzie bites this time.
Other than that ...feeling really good.
No sign of Hives tonight either.
But this time...I took the Zyrtek like he said (boy, it made me sleep!) and hives are now going.
This attack wasnt no way as severe as the last one but think because I stopped it in time with the Zyrtek.
Immunologists said the BEST antihistamine was Zyrtek...seems he was right.
Havent got bloods back yet as they will take a few weeks apparently so still waiting on results.
Both Doc and Immunologist seem to think that food is NOT responsible for the Hives.
Went to bed with Epipen beside the bed and didnt need to use it as hives were small like mozzie bites this time.
Other than that ...feeling really good.
No sign of Hives tonight either.
I will post the results as soon as I have them.
Hopefully they will be sent to my Doc as I dont see the Immunologist for 6 weeks now.
Ive got to the stage now that NOTHING surprises me.......
Hopefully all will come back clear but it gives a whole new meaning to autoimmune diseases.
I never realised so much was involved with proteins in the body.
I'm learning something new everyday.
I feel ok..thyroid levels are ok (as far as I know ...havent had them done cos feeling good ).
So will post them here when I get them.
I might call my Doc tomorrow to see if the Immunologist has faxed them through to my Doc...if not, I have a Doc appointment on the 13th May.
Either way...I have been accepted for my new job and waiting to hear when induction is.
Hopefully they will be sent to my Doc as I dont see the Immunologist for 6 weeks now.
Ive got to the stage now that NOTHING surprises me.......
Hopefully all will come back clear but it gives a whole new meaning to autoimmune diseases.
I never realised so much was involved with proteins in the body.
I'm learning something new everyday.
I feel ok..thyroid levels are ok (as far as I know ...havent had them done cos feeling good ).
So will post them here when I get them.
I might call my Doc tomorrow to see if the Immunologist has faxed them through to my Doc...if not, I have a Doc appointment on the 13th May.
Either way...I have been accepted for my new job and waiting to hear when induction is.
Yikes...how fun is that...NOT!!! Keep us informed...
I'm back to the endo tomorrow so she can say "it's a miracle you're cured, you're tired? what do you mean you're tired...Your tsh is perfect and so is the free t4, you can't be tired? Cold? What do you mean you're cold...You're not really cold....are you?" I love dr's.....again...not...
I'm back to the endo tomorrow so she can say "it's a miracle you're cured, you're tired? what do you mean you're tired...Your tsh is perfect and so is the free t4, you can't be tired? Cold? What do you mean you're cold...You're not really cold....are you?" I love dr's.....again...not...
Oh Gosh Deb, not again! I'm going to believe you just had a allergic reaction to something and that you'll be JUST fine!!!! I'll be keeping you in prayer. Let us know when you get the results! ((HUGS)))
How long before you get test results? Wow....very interesting learning here. Just sorry it has to be due to you having all these issues...hang in there! :)
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