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Help with understanding test results

Autoimmune Diseases | Last Active: Jun 29 6:13pm | Replies (79)

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@slkanowitz

I will chime in as well and try to help with the question of appropriate Drs. It seems you might need 3 docs on your team of consultants. A rheumatologist will interpret your lab results, an immunologist/allergist for the eosinophilia and allergic rhinitis/sinusitis, and a pulmonologist for the lung problems. People with autoimmune diseases frequently have allergic issues including nasal polyps, asthma, and rashes. A skin biopsy with immunoflourescent studies by a dermatologist can be very helpful in establishing a diagnosis. Lupus and MCTD can be triggered by viruses such as Epstein Barr that causes mono. Some people continue to have chronic EBV activity which can be diagnosed by blood tests (EBV panel that has to include Early Antigen). This can be a source of chronic fatigue. Autoimmune disorders are particularly complex and there is a lot of connections and overlap between them. MCTD is considered a combo of lupus, sometimes scleroderma and polymyositis/dermatomyositis. It doesn’t always include all 3, as one condition usually predominates. I hope that helps somewhat to shed light on a very complex array of autoimmune diseases. The good news is that once diagnosed, you can be treated and get to feeling better! I hope your appointment goes well.

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Replies to "I will chime in as well and try to help with the question of appropriate Drs...."

@slkanowitz Thanks Your summary is much appreciated and helps make my first appoint with the Rheumatologist less overwhelming. I am copying my test results from over the years to take with me, as well as a typed list of symptoms (even the strange ones). He may be able to recommend an allergist/immunologist and a new pulmonologist. I already have an ENT (that I adore) and I saw a dermatologist once.