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dsDNA results from Mayo Clinic vs Other Labs
Autoimmune Diseases | Last Active: Dec 29, 2023 | Replies (7)Comment receiving replies
All lab tests fluctuate some and results can be different between labs, which adds to confusion. Your 1st result of 33 is just above the threshold of what is considered positive and the 2nd result could have been 29 (but considered negative because it is under 30). With 3 labs being abnormal (do you know the other ENA?) and symptoms, there seems to be something going on. In my experience over 40+ years, I see many rheumatologists who dismiss symptoms and positive labs and are reluctant to make a diagnosis. This can mean longer suffering, more pain and possibly damage to organs for lack of treatment. I would seek a second opinion as IMO dsDNA of 33 is significant. Make a thorough list of signs and symptoms, perhaps a diary of those, and gather all labs you have had done before seeing another Dr. PS do you have IBM?
Replies to "All lab tests fluctuate some and results can be different between labs, which adds to confusion...."
Thank you so much. I am keeping a photo diary of all of my symptoms, which I did share with my rheum, who today messaged that I had "no evidence of rheumatologic disease." Seven years in the making, my symptoms / labs are:
*dime-size scalp inflammation spots that bleed and bald
*peeling skin on hands
*vibratory uticaria
*recurrent fever
*chronic fatigue
*severe post-exertional malaise
*chronic inflammatory damage to gallbladder, removed
*chronic inflammatory damage to abdominal lymph notes, removed
*butterfly rash
*red, flat, lacy rash on chest and upper thighs
*occasional loss of sensation in finger tips
*gastrointestinal upset
*vertigo / tinnitus / fluid in inner ear without infection
*occurring in very "flare" like patterns following stress or other triggers
*ANA positive (1:160 speckled)
*ENA positive
*dsDNA antibody positive (33 iu/ml)
*occasionally completely normal CBC, CMP, urine tests and GFR
*occasionally very bad CMC, CMP, and GFR
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Because my ENA was positive but with no association on the extractable nuclear AB panel and my sed rate, CBC, CMP, and C reactive protein are sometimes normal and sometimes not, she won't budge on that there's nothing wrong. In the meantime, I am living in a body that I hardly recognize that gives me a very low quality of life. I am a former D1 athlete and current teacher who rarely missed a day in the classroom and now if I teach too hard one day, I literally cannot work the next. It's absolutely bonkers. After being bounced from specialist to specialist (cardiologist, pulmonologist, neurologist, gastroenterologist, dermatologist, endocrinologist, ENT) for each symptom and having each one tell me that my symptoms are autoimmune, I am at a loss of where to go next because the person they all tell me to go to tells me there's literally nothing wrong (even though she documents photo evidence herself when I'm in the office with her). Thanks for your reply and have a happy new year!
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Sorry I see the IBM post was from someone else.