Is a rheumatologist who I should see about autoimmune conditions?

Posted by boisland @boisland, Jun 29, 2021

I was recently diagnosed with automimmune pernicious anemia. I am working on issue with a hemtologist. Would a rheumatologist be the doctor to visit if you suspect another autoimmue condition unrelated to pernicious anemia

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Autoimmune Diseases Support Group.

@boisland Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. We are fellow patients, family members,and caregivers who share our own experiences and help others. We are not medical doctors, and cannot diagnose conditions.

Pernicious anemia is considered a blood disorder, so a hematologist is an appropriate dr to handle this. If you feel there may be another autoimmune condition, I would have a frank discussion with your dr, and ask him/her. Here is an article from Mayo Clinic that may bring you more information https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vitamin-deficiency-anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355025

What else can I help you with?
Ginger

REPLY

Hi @boisland, I'd like to add my welcome. Here are two related discussions on Mayo Clinic Connect that may be of interest to you.
- So many questions. Seeing Rheumatology and GI at Mayo JAX: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/so-many-questions/
- Pernicious Anemia and B12 Ranges: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pernicious-anemia-2/

May I ask what other autoimmune condition you have or suspect to have unrelated to the anemia?

REPLY

Hello, i also have an autoimmune disease that was difficult to diagnose. Once an MRI was done which showed lesions on my brain, i went to a neurologist. But, yes, rheumatologists are frequently the doctors to go to. Start by keeping a journal of all the symptoms that bother you and how frequently they occur. Keep this journal to share with a doctor. Diagnosing autoimmune diseases s a very long and difficult process, I’m afraid. I recommend reading the discussions which Colleen posted.
- Tips for Getting a Proper Diagnosis of an Autoimmune Disease | Mayo Clinic Connect https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tips-for-getting-a-proper-diagnosis-of-an-autoimmune-disease/

This discussion may also help

REPLY
@becsbuddy

Hello, i also have an autoimmune disease that was difficult to diagnose. Once an MRI was done which showed lesions on my brain, i went to a neurologist. But, yes, rheumatologists are frequently the doctors to go to. Start by keeping a journal of all the symptoms that bother you and how frequently they occur. Keep this journal to share with a doctor. Diagnosing autoimmune diseases s a very long and difficult process, I’m afraid. I recommend reading the discussions which Colleen posted.
- Tips for Getting a Proper Diagnosis of an Autoimmune Disease | Mayo Clinic Connect https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tips-for-getting-a-proper-diagnosis-of-an-autoimmune-disease/

This discussion may also help

Jump to this post

@becsbuddy Becky, here in Oregon, and northern California all seem to work only with arthritis. I don't know why. I would like to find a good Geneticist who would work primarily with the aid of Telemed, Zoom, or the like. Purely by accident I happened across some clues that made me search by starting my deeper studies with some great organizations. AmbryGen.com, AncestryDNA, Sequencing.com, etc. Also some response lines like this one. If @boisland wishes, she can look for a good geneticist around her home area, or contact some of the geneticist organizations for references. I put a lot of money into a couple rheumatologists before I finally got it through my thick skull that they wanted nothing but arthritis patients. The smarter thing for Boisland, I think, would be to contact a genetics lab in that area, and ask them for a good geneticist. This person could actually be in UK or Afghanistan or Sudan, or even Rochester or Texas. If they know their business, virtual intervention would be fine. I once met a geneticist who worked while in a wheel chair permanently, but I can not find that person. They may have retired or passed on.

REPLY
@colleenyoung

Hi @boisland, I'd like to add my welcome. Here are two related discussions on Mayo Clinic Connect that may be of interest to you.
- So many questions. Seeing Rheumatology and GI at Mayo JAX: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/so-many-questions/
- Pernicious Anemia and B12 Ranges: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pernicious-anemia-2/

May I ask what other autoimmune condition you have or suspect to have unrelated to the anemia?

Jump to this post

i get tingling in my arms somethimes after I eat. It is not currently associated to a specific food , it just happens at sometimes after I eat. Since my diagnosis of Pernicious Anemia I can no longer tolerate any sweets eg cakes, cookies etc..

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.