Question:
Chelly – Just want to reassure you about an aspect of your post – where you said: >i already know that i have low platelets, 122 last time they checked, before >that 154 and before that 204. i am anemic. i have a positive ana and he said >something about my sedd rate being to high too. >but this is greek to me……
I specialise in low platelets. And if I had the levels you’ve had so far, I would be celebrating! Mind you, I can understand your concerns. There’s a huge learning curve with lupus. Eventually you get a good idea of which pathology results you need to pay most attention to. I watch the platelet levels in my FBE (full blood examination – what Australians call the American CBC). So long as they are over 80 everyone seems happy. I’ve been as low as 6. The worries start under 50; especially under 30, when you can be at risk of bleeding. But hey, some of us have been there many times. Although I’m on my lowest prednisolone dose ever, my last platelet level was 161. The rheumatologist sent me off, saying don’t come back for six months. (That was, of course, until I had to call her yesterday and increase my pred. slightly because I’m pregnant.) On a lighter note, it often is ‘all greek’ given that lots of medical terminology comes from Greek roots. As a person with a Greek background – along with many other people of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Northern African origins – I have a form of anaemia called Thalassemia minor – where red blood cells are misshapen and break down faster, thereby causing low haemoglobin counts. In fact, at age 10 (in 1971) this was my first chronic illness diagnosis. Unlike other forms of anaemia, you should not normally take synthetic iron. Funnily enough, I’ve found that years of living with a chronic illness has probably made me take better care of my health and diet than I might otherwise have done. This has made me, in some ways, healthier than some of my so-called healthy friends. Other people I know who have SLE share this experience. It is hard not to worry. But for me, stress and depression are the most brutal triggers of lupus flares. Learning to relax, live with the chaos, and accept you can’t control everything is a good start to managing our concerns. I treat the medical and pathology tests as a learning experience – and quiz doctors where necessary about why they choose certain tests or procedures. And in the process end up much better informed about health issues which concern me.
Response:
Lupus Around the World http://www.mtio.com/lupus/lfalt1.htm This website has some of the best information on lab tests that I’ve seen. Sandra
Response:
In article <1860-36E82512…@newsd-264.iap.bryant.webtv.net>, Elizabeth Massey <lizh…@webtv.net> writes >Good grief, >This is a long list, try a search on Reuters or John’s Hopkins etc to >find out what these tests indicate.
[] or Hamline Lupus Page http://www.hamline.edu/lupus/index.html — Andy For Austria & its philately, Lupus, & much else visit http://www.kitzbuhel.demon.co.uk
Response:
I would add that CBC values differ slightly from one lab to the next because of population standard deviations. Although this very slight, the best way to check your status, is to ask for a copy of your lab tests. The normal values are always, "or should I say "should always be noted along side your values. These are your tests and it is your right to ask for them. CK, or Total Creatine Kinase, is an enzyme found in heart, skeletal, and brain tissue. It would be increased in diseases of these and in polymyositis , muscle trauma and hypothyroidism. I think all the tests you have asked for have been covered. If we missed anything, let us know. Donna – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -CHELLY1169 wrote in message <19990311033701.03232.00000…@ng154.aol.com>… >my rheumy doc is running for a THIRD time all my labs w/ new blood and then >once he gets those back hes going to start me off on meds for my lupus. >i really dont know squat about lab tests so i am really hoping someone can >tell me what these tests are, as much as possible… >i already know that i have low platelets, 122 last time they checked, before >that 154 and before that 204. i am anemic. i have a positive ana and he said >something about my sedd rate being to high too. >but this is greek to me…… so heres a list of the labs hes doing on me, id >really like to know stuff similar to this… if i write CBC, i need someone to >say CBC=complete blood count, and what the normal level should be so i can >compare my results against what it should be. thank you to anyone so much in >advance for the info >LABS MY DOCTOR ORDERED FOR ME : >chem file >CK, total >folate >iron >T3, Free >T4, FreeTSH >vitamin B12 >Coombs direct/indirect >CBC/PLT/AUTO DIFF >Reticulocyte count >Sedd rate (esr) >ANA >RPR >anti ds dna >antithyroid Ab >antimitocodrial Ab >ENA >RNP >Anti-Sm >thats them… >–tink
Response:
Good grief, This is a long list, try a search on Reuters or John’s Hopkins etc to find out what these tests indicate. As far as levels, ask for a copy of your bloodwork (I have every one of mine), most printouts will list your score and then the normal ranges, and will highlight a low/high score. If your search is without results, call your library reference desk and ask what book holds info about laboratory tests, you might even ask the lab. You will have to get to know resources and reference helps if you want to manage your lupus care. Have you contacted your local Lupus Association and Arthritis Foundation? Best, liz I count myself in nothing else so happy….As in remembering my good friends. William Shakespeare As we advance in life it becomes more and more difficult, but in fightng the difficulties the inmmost strength of the heart is developed. Vincent van Gogh
Response:
Tink, Thank goodness that you have a doctor that is this agressive with the lab work. At least he is taking you seriously enough to be very thorough. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Dan LABS MY DOCTOR ORDERED FOR ME : chem file CK, total folate iron T3, Free T4, FreeTSH vitamin B12 Coombs direct/indirect CBC/PLT/AUTO DIFF Reticulocyte count Sedd rate (esr) ANA RPR anti ds dna antithyroid Ab antimitocodrial Ab ENA RNP Anti-Sm thats them… –tink
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -KCDockal wrote in message <36efe9ae.9898…@news.ghgcorp.com>… >On 11 Mar 1999 14:33:08 GMT, ladykry…@aol.com (LadyKrysti) wrote: >>>T3, Free = PASS >A form of Thyroid your body uses >>>T4, FreeTSH = PASS >T4 – Another form of Thyroid. >Free T4 – Thryoid hormone that is not bound with other components and >is actually immediately available to your bodies systems. >TSH: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone – the hormone that makes your >Thyroid produce the thyroid hormones. This is secreted by your >hypothalamus (I think) and if it is too high that means it is trying >to compensate for low thryoid in your bloodstream. If it is too low >then you can have too much thyroid which means an overactive thyroid >gland that must be dealt with medically just as much as an underactive >thyroid gland. >>>Reticulocyte count = PASS >Reticulocytes are "young" red blood cells – presumably this will >indicate that your are making red blood cells at a normal rate. If you >for some reason have a low rbc count they will want to know if it is >because you aren’t making enough rbc’s or if it is because autoimmune >antibodies are destroying your rbc’s or if there is some other reason >for the loss of rbcs (slow gastric bleeding from ulcers, etc). If you >are not making rbcs at a normal rate this may show up as a low >reticulocyte count. >>>Sedd rate (esr) = PASS. ONCE AGAIN, I CAN’T THINK OF A SIMPLE EXPLANATION. >Sed Rate or Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate. Red blood cells settle to >the bottom of a test tube over a certain amount of time. This time is >increased by inflammatory factors in the blood. Therefore an >increased Sed rate means an increase in inflammation – however this >test is not highly specific >>>ANA = ANTINUCLEAR ANTIBODIES TEST >The antibodies most responsible for inflammation in autoimmune >diseases. >>>RPR = PASS >a syphilis test. Autoimmune disease (Lupus in particular) often gives >false positive syphilis tests. >>>anti ds dna = PASS >Test for antibodies to your doublestranded DNA. DNA is either single- >stranded or double-stranded depending on if it is being replicated or >not (during cell replication and other process). anti-dsDNA is found >in about 60% of all Lupus patients and is rarely found in other >autoimmune diseases therefore if this is positive it is considered >highly specific for Lupus. >>>antithyroid Ab = ANTITHYROID ANTIBODY, CHECKS FOR ANTIBODIES TO YOUR THYROID >>CELLS (I believe). >Yup. Which would be the cause of "Autoimmune Hypothyroidism" – this >often overlaps with other autoimmune diseases. >>>antimitocodrial Ab = ANTIMITOCHONDRIAL ANTIBODIES, CHECKS FOR ANTIBODIES TO >>THE MITOCHONDRIA (a part of each cell). >again, an autoantibody responsible for some of the damage done by >autoimmune disease. >>>ENA = PASS >extractable nuclear antigen? antigens are the things that trigger >immune responses in allergies… this may be something elevated in >autoimmune disease but I can’t find any info on it.
ENA = Extractable Nuclear Antigens —- i.e. Sm; RNP; SS-A; SS-B; Scl-70; Jo-1 (positive in some autoimmune diseases). – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>>RNP = PASS >anti-RNP antibodies are commonly found in Scleroderma (another >autoimmune disease) and sometimes seen in Lupus. >>>Anti-Sm = PASS >Anti-Smith… this was one of the early antibodies found when Lupus >was being seriously researched. It is named after a lupus patient who >had this antibody in abundance. It is an antibody to another >component of DNA replication. >>If I’ve made any mistakes I’m sure someone will correct them and the ones that >>I can’t answer, I know others can. Good luck to you. >>Krystie Rose >That’s a lot of tests? I didn’t see the original post so am I too >assume someone is getting *all* of these tests run. That is one >seriously thorough doc! >Best of luck to you and thanks to Krystie Rose for her part in >explaining these tests. >kc cat
Response:
On 11 Mar 1999 14:33:08 GMT, ladykry…@aol.com (LadyKrysti) wrote: >>T3, Free = PASS
A form of Thyroid your body uses >>T4, FreeTSH = PASS
T4 – Another form of Thyroid. Free T4 – Thryoid hormone that is not bound with other components and is actually immediately available to your bodies systems. TSH: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone – the hormone that makes your Thyroid produce the thyroid hormones. This is secreted by your hypothalamus (I think) and if it is too high that means it is trying to compensate for low thryoid in your bloodstream. If it is too low then you can have too much thyroid which means an overactive thyroid gland that must be dealt with medically just as much as an underactive thyroid gland. >>Reticulocyte count = PASS
Reticulocytes are "young" red blood cells – presumably this will indicate that your are making red blood cells at a normal rate. If you for some reason have a low rbc count they will want to know if it is because you aren’t making enough rbc’s or if it is because autoimmune antibodies are destroying your rbc’s or if there is some other reason for the loss of rbcs (slow gastric bleeding from ulcers, etc). If you are not making rbcs at a normal rate this may show up as a low reticulocyte count. >>Sedd rate (esr) = PASS. ONCE AGAIN, I CAN’T THINK OF A SIMPLE EXPLANATION.
Sed Rate or Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate. Red blood cells settle to the bottom of a test tube over a certain amount of time. This time is increased by inflammatory factors in the blood. Therefore an increased Sed rate means an increase in inflammation – however this test is not highly specific >>ANA = ANTINUCLEAR ANTIBODIES TEST
The antibodies most responsible for inflammation in autoimmune diseases. >>RPR = PASS
a syphilis test. Autoimmune disease (Lupus in particular) often gives false positive syphilis tests. >>anti ds dna = PASS
Test for antibodies to your doublestranded DNA. DNA is either single- stranded or double-stranded depending on if it is being replicated or not (during cell replication and other process). anti-dsDNA is found in about 60% of all Lupus patients and is rarely found in other autoimmune diseases therefore if this is positive it is considered highly specific for Lupus. >>antithyroid Ab = ANTITHYROID ANTIBODY, CHECKS FOR ANTIBODIES TO YOUR THYROID >CELLS (I believe).
Yup. Which would be the cause of "Autoimmune Hypothyroidism" – this often overlaps with other autoimmune diseases. >>antimitocodrial Ab = ANTIMITOCHONDRIAL ANTIBODIES, CHECKS FOR ANTIBODIES TO >THE MITOCHONDRIA (a part of each cell).
again, an autoantibody responsible for some of the damage done by autoimmune disease. >>ENA = PASS
extractable nuclear antigen? antigens are the things that trigger immune responses in allergies… this may be something elevated in autoimmune disease but I can’t find any info on it. >>RNP = PASS
anti-RNP antibodies are commonly found in Scleroderma (another autoimmune disease) and sometimes seen in Lupus. >>Anti-Sm = PASS
Anti-Smith… this was one of the early antibodies found when Lupus was being seriously researched. It is named after a lupus patient who had this antibody in abundance. It is an antibody to another component of DNA replication. >If I’ve made any mistakes I’m sure someone will correct them and the ones that >I can’t answer, I know others can. Good luck to you. >Krystie Rose
That’s a lot of tests? I didn’t see the original post so am I too assume someone is getting *all* of these tests run. That is one seriously thorough doc! Best of luck to you and thanks to Krystie Rose for her part in explaining these tests. kc cat
Response:
>LABS MY DOCTOR ORDERED FOR ME : >chem file = CHECKS 7 TO 14 SPECIFIC ELEMENTS OF YOUR BLOOD. SUCH AS POTASSIUM,
CALCIUM, SODIUM, CHLORIDE, ETC. >CK, total = I’LL LET SOMEONE ELSE EXPLAIN THIS ONE. I CAN’T THINK OF A SIMPLE
EXPLANATION. (or just can’t think…LOL). >folate = ONE OF THE B VITAMINS. THE TEST CHECKS THE AMOUNT OF IT IN YOUR BLOOD. >iron = CHECKS THE IRON LEVEL OF YOUR BLOOD >T3, Free = PASS >T4, FreeTSH = PASS >vitamin B12 = YET ANOTHER B VITAMIN. CHECKING FOR IT’S LEVEL IN YOUR BLOOD. >Coombs direct/indirect = I WONDER THIS ONE MYSELF. LOL >CBC/PLT/AUTO DIFF = COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT (WBC’s, RBC’s, platelets,
hemoglobin, hematocrit, etc.). THE AUTO DIFF. = AUTO DIFFERENTIAL. THIS MEANS THAT THE DOCTOR WANTS THE LAB TO SEPARATE THE WHITE CELLS INTO THEIR CATEGORIES (lymphocytes, monocytes, etc.). >Reticulocyte count = PASS >Sedd rate (esr) = PASS. ONCE AGAIN, I CAN’T THINK OF A SIMPLE EXPLANATION. >ANA = ANTINUCLEAR ANTIBODIES TEST >RPR = PASS >anti ds dna = PASS >antithyroid Ab = ANTITHYROID ANTIBODY, CHECKS FOR ANTIBODIES TO YOUR THYROID CELLS (I believe). >antimitocodrial Ab = ANTIMITOCHONDRIAL ANTIBODIES, CHECKS FOR ANTIBODIES TO
THE MITOCHONDRIA (a part of each cell). >ENA = PASS >RNP = PASS >Anti-Sm = PASS
If I’ve made any mistakes I’m sure someone will correct them and the ones that I can’t answer, I know others can. Good luck to you. Krystie Rose
Response:
my rheumy doc is running for a THIRD time all my labs w/ new blood and then once he gets those back hes going to start me off on meds for my lupus. i really dont know squat about lab tests so i am really hoping someone can tell me what these tests are, as much as possible… i already know that i have low platelets, 122 last time they checked, before that 154 and before that 204. i am anemic. i have a positive ana and he said something about my sedd rate being to high too. but this is greek to me…… so heres a list of the labs hes doing on me, id really like to know stuff similar to this… if i write CBC, i need someone to say CBC=complete blood count, and what the normal level should be so i can compare my results against what it should be. thank you to anyone so much in advance for the info LABS MY DOCTOR ORDERED FOR ME : chem file CK, total folate iron T3, Free T4, FreeTSH vitamin B12 Coombs direct/indirect CBC/PLT/AUTO DIFF Reticulocyte count Sedd rate (esr) ANA RPR anti ds dna antithyroid Ab antimitocodrial Ab ENA RNP Anti-Sm thats them… –tink
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